Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Immunization
  Vaccine Basics
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Who and When
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Involved
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      About Us

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              Immunization Information for You and Your Loved Ones
                              Who and When
                              Vaccines for Infants, Children, and Teens
                              Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18


    

    

    Navigate to:
  Immunization Highlights
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Basics
                                            
            
            Vaccine Ingredients
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Safety
                          
            
            Vaccine Side Effects
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Types
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Work
                          
            
            Vaccines Protect You
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Protect Your Community
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
                                            
            
            Chickenpox (Varicella)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Cholera
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      COVID-19
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Diphtheria
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Flu (Influenza)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis A
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis B
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Measles
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Meningococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mumps
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pneumococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Polio
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rabies
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rotavirus
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rubella (German Measles)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Tetanus (Lockjaw)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Typhoid Fever
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Yellow Fever
    
                                                  
                                                                                        
                          
      
      
      
      Who and When
                                            
            
            Infants, Children, and Teens
                          
            
            Infants and Children Birth Through Age 6
    
                                                  
                                                                  
                          
      
      
      
      Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Adults
                          
            
            Adults Ages 19 Through 26
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Ages 27 Through 64
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Age 65 and Older
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pregnant Women
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Travelers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      People with Health Conditions
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Health Care Workers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Gay or Bisexual Men
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Military Members
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
                                            
            
            How to Pay
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Adults
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Parents
                          
            
            Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Where to Go
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Involved
                                            
            
            Explore Vaccination in Your Community
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Spread the Word!
                          
            
            Graphics
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Widgets and Web Badges
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Toolkits
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Get More Information
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      About UsLanguages
      English
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Español (Spanish)Text resize icon

                    




Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18








  
  
    

  
      



Your child’s vaccinations protect them from getting serious and even deadly diseases. Getting your child vaccinated also helps keep the rest of your family and your community healthy.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for preteens and teens.

Which vaccines are recommended for preteens and teens ages 7 through 18?

In addition to catching up on or getting additional doses of childhood vaccines, preteens and teens also need vaccines to help protect them from infections that can cause:

Meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord)
	Cancer caused by HPV (human papillomavirus)
	Whooping cough
	FluCheck this easy-to-read vaccine schedule (PDF - 208KB) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find out which vaccines are recommended for preteens and teens ages 7 through 18.

Vaccine calendar
Find the right vaccines for you

Some preteens or teens may need additional vaccines — for example, if they’ll be traveling outside the United States. Learn more about vaccines for:

Travelers
	People with health conditionsWhy does my child need more doses of some vaccines?

Your child will need additional doses for many of the vaccines they received in early childhood. This helps make sure the vaccine continues to protect your teen from getting sick.

It’s important to get every dose of each vaccine to make sure your child gets the best protection possible. For most vaccines, your child can easily catch up on missed vaccines. If your child misses a dose, talk with your child’s pediatrician about how to catch up.

What about side effects?

Common side effects from vaccines include pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. Serious side effects from vaccines are very rare.

Some preteens and teens may faint after they get vaccinated, so doctors recommend that they sit or lay down for 15 minutes after the shot. Giving your child something to eat or drink before getting vaccinated — and reassuring your child about the vaccination — may help prevent fainting.

Learn more about:

Vaccine side effects
	What to expect when your child gets vaccinated

                    
  


Find out which vaccines your child needs

CDC’s Childhood Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines your child may need based on age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now!







  Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected.







  Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) Content last reviewed April 29, 2021Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​