Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 Official icon**Official websites use .gov**
				A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lock icon**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
				A lock (  ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
	CDC LogoCDC Logo
 Search

		×
			Vaccines site
			Vaccines site

				All CDC
				Submit


Vaccines for Your Children





Vaccines at 11 to 12 Years						Español (Spanish)							Print
																Related Pages
										11 to 12 year old kids

Vaccinations are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.


CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. If your child has not gotten vaccinated yet, talk to his or her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.Vaccines your child should get
Although your 11 or 12-year-old is getting closer to their teen years, they are still dependent on you. Help them stay healthy by keeping them up to date with the recommended vaccines.
Your preteen should receive routinely recommended vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:Human papillomavirus (HPV)
	**2 doses**
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause several cancers in men and women. HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11-12 years to help protect against cancers caused by HPV infection. For best protection, most children this age will need two shots of the HPV vaccine, 6-12 months apart.
**See Related:**HPV vaccinationInfluenza (Flu)
	Yearly
Flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in children younger than 5 years and children of any age with certain chronic conditions including asthma. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year ideally by the end of October.
**See Related:**Flu vaccinationMeningococcal disease (MenACWY)
	**1st dose of 2**
Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by a type of bacteria called *Neisseria meningitidis.*These bacteria can cause meningococcal meningitis or bloodstream infections, which can be serious, even deadly. The meningococcal vaccine called MenACWY helps protect against four types of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y).
**
**See Related:**Meningococcal vaccinationTetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap)
	**1 dose**
A Tdap booster shot protects older children from three serious diseases—diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). While people of any age in the United States can get all three of these potentially deadly diseases, whooping cough is most common. Preteens and teens who get whooping cough may cough for 10 weeks or more, possibly leading to rib fractures from severe coughing.
**See Related:**Tdap vaccinationBenefits of vaccinating your child now
Protect against dangerous diseases, including infections where the risk of exposure increases as adolescents get older.Boost protection from several diseases, as protection from early childhood vaccines wears off.When to vaccinate your child
You can take advantage of any visit to your child’s doctor to get recommended vaccines for your child, including sports physicals or annual checkups before the school year. Ask the doctor or nurse every year if there are any vaccines that your child may need.**If your child has serious allergies**, including allergies to yeast, latex, or chicken eggs, tell the doctor or nurse before your child gets any shots.After vaccination
Sometimes children have mild reactions from vaccines, called side effects. After vaccination, your preteen might experience:
**Redness and soreness**: Use a cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness and/or swelling at the injection site.
**Fainting after getting a shot**: Although rare, fainting after any vaccine is more common among adolescents. Sitting or lying down when getting a shot and then for about 15 minutes after the shot can help prevent fainting.**Serious side effects are rare.** To learn more about possible side effects, read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s).
**Call 911** if you think your child might be having a severe **allergic reaction** after leaving the vaccination site.What vaccines does my child need?Follow the vaccine scheduleSee which vaccines your child needs to stay on-track with routine vaccinations.
Birth to 6 years
7 to 18 yearsGet a personalized listTake a short quiz to get a list of vaccines your child may need based on their age, health conditions, and other factors.
Child vaccine quizMore InformationTravel and Vaccines
Keeping Track of Vaccine Records
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
HPV Vaccine is Safe
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  July 10, 2023						Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeParents
Why Vaccinateplus icon
Making the Vaccine Decision
Strengthening Your Baby’s Immune System
Combination Vaccines
Vaccine Scheduleplus icon
Child Schedule
Teen Schedule
Who sets the Vaccine Schedule
Reasons to Follow the Schedule
Vaccines by Ageplus icon
Pregnancy
Birth
1-2 Months
3-4 Months
5-6 Months
7-11 Months
12-23 Months
2-3 Years
4-6 Years
7-10 Years
11-12 Years
13-18 Years
Diseases that Vaccines Preventplus icon
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Diphtheria
Flu (Influenza)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hib
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Measles
Meningococcal
Mumps
Pneumococcal
Polio
Rotavirus
RSV
Rubella
Tetanus
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Diseases You Almost Forgot About
Your Child’s Vaccine Visitplus icon
Catch Up on Recommended Vaccinations
Before, During, and After Shots
How to Hold Your Child
Make Shots Less Stressful
Vaccines When Your Child is Sick
Vaccine Ingredients
Questions About Vaccines
Vaccine Recordsplus icon
Keeping Track of Records
Adoption and Vaccines
Before you Travel
Resourcesplus icon
Infant and Childhood Immunization Resources
Preteen and Teen Vaccine Resources
Maternal Immunization Resources Vaccines & Immunizations


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue