Teens
It’s time to take control of your health.
These shots will provide you protection from serious vaccine-preventable disease and HPV-related cancers.
With growing up comes great responsibility. Control your life for the better and get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.
These vaccines include:
- Meningococcal – both ACYW and B
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Talk to your doctor to ensure your vaccines are current or use the links below to find free/low-cost vaccines near you.
To Prepare Yourself
- Always bring your teen’s immunization record to each visit.
- Ask the doctor to ensure your teen is current on all vaccines.
- Ask the doctor questions about required and recommended vaccines.
Vaccines at Any Age & Stage
Click on the age demographic for more information.
What are vaccines?
How are vaccines made?
There are different ways to make vaccines. You can weaken the virus, inactivate the virus, use part of the virus or bacteria, or use part of the genetic code from the virus or bacteria. These different methods help vaccines teach your body how to fight off illnesses.
Vaccines prevent:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Meningitis
- HPV
- Influenza
- Coronavirus
Talk to your doctor about these vaccines and ask what other vaccines you may be missing for your age – including your yearly flu shot!
Tdap Vaccine:
Tdap stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.
- Tetanus (T), also called lockjaw, causes painful muscle stiffening.
- Diphtheria (d) can cause difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death.
- Pertussis (ap), or whooping cough, is sometimes called the “100-day cough.” It’s a nasty disease that easily spreads and can be very harmful for babies and older adults.
Meningococcal ACYW & Meningococcal B Vaccines:
The best way to prevent meningitis is to get vaccinated at 11 years old with a booster shot at 16 years old. Talk to your doctor today!
1 in 6 people who get bacterial meningitis will die – this devastating disease is no joke.
Close contact with other people increases your risk of meningitis in everyday activities like coughing, kissing, or sneezing.
HPV Vaccine Series:
Every year in the United States, more than 21,000 women and 15,000 men are affected by HPV-related cancers.
Completing your HPV vaccines now as a teen means one less thing for you to worry about in your future.
You can take control to prevent certain cancers with the HPV vaccine!
Why should I trust vaccines?
Why immunize?
Vaccines are made to help you live a longer and healthier life. Stay up to date on vaccinations to protect your family and yourself from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. The goal is to obtain herd immunity, where a large enough portion of the community (the herd) becomes vaccinated to limit the spread of disease from person to person and protect people who are not immune.
You’ve got this! Your teen years are fun and important years. But don’t skip that 16-year-old doctor visit — keep up to date on your immunizations and be safe!
Little Extra Boost of Immunity!
In addition to vaccines, you can naturally boost your immune system by eating healthy meals and adding superfoods to your diet.
Examples include berries, fish oil, greens, nuts/seeds, spices, citrus, poultry, and veggies!
These foods contain antioxidants and vitamins such as A, C, and E to keep your body going and your immune system strong.
What makes a reputable source?
Where you get your information matters. Anyone anywhere can post a convincing article, but you can never be sure it’s correct.
Please visit the websites below for reliable vaccination information instead of believing a social media repost.
Teens are the future. Educate yourself and the people around you to create a better world.
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
For Teen Moms: TAPI’s Parent Page
Learn More about the Effects of Not Vaccinating [Button: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)]