Preteens Need Vaccines to Stay Healthy
 

Protect the Circle of Life: “Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children.” - Sitting Bull, Lakota Sioux, 1877 

Why should my preteens and teens get vaccines? 

Immunization is one of the most important tools we have to 

protect our children from disease. If enough people in our 

communities are immunized, vaccine-preventable diseases 

will not be passed to our babies, our elders, our families, 

and our communities. 

What shots do my preteen and teen children need? 

There are four vaccines recommended at 11-12: 

Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine 

This vaccine protects against some strains of bacteria that cause 

meningococcal disease such as meningitis and blood infections 

(septicemia). These infections don’t happen very often, but can 

be very dangerous when they do. Meningococcal disease can 

very quickly become very serious—even deadly. Some survivors 

will have a long-term disability such as deafness, brain damage, 

or an amputated limb. The meningococcal vaccine is the best 

way to protect preteens and teens from getting meningococcal 

disease. Teens also need a second shot of the meningococcal 

vaccine when they turn 16. 

Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine 

This vaccine protects against whooping cough, or pertussis, 

which causes severe coughing fits. The coughing fits can 

become so bad that preteens and teens can miss weeks of 

school and social activities. They can even break a rib from 

coughing. Whooping cough spreads very easily and can be 

deadly for infants in the community who get it. The Tdap 

vaccine is the best way to protect preteens and teen from 

getting whooping cough. This shot also protects

against tetanus and diphtheria. 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine 

This vaccine protects against infection with the types of HPV 

that most commonly cause cancer. These cancers include: 

cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer in women; penile cancer 

in men; as well as anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital warts 

in both men and women. HPV infections cause about 27,000 

cancers every year. HPV vaccine is the best way to prevent most 

HPV infections that lead to cancer. 

Influenza (flu) vaccine 

This vaccine protects against the flu. The flu is an infection of the 

nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Flu can cause 

mild to severe illness, and in some cases, it can cause death. 

Ask the doctor or nurse which vaccines your child needs. Keep the circle strong. 

For more information about HPV infection and HPV vaccine, 

visit www.cdc.gov/HPV 

Flu can be especially serious for preteens and teens 

with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or asthma, 

because they are at a greater risk for complications from the 

flu. However, even healthy adolescents can get very sick from 

the flu. While most preteens and teens who get sick with the flu 

recover within a couple of weeks, some will get complications 

like sinus infections, or pneumonia (a serious lung infection). 

Are these shots safe? 

Yes, these vaccines are very safe. All of these shots have been 

studied very carefully and are continually watched to be sure 

they are safe and work well. 

Preteens and teens may experience mild side effects such as 

redness and soreness in the area of the arm where the shot was 

given. Serious side effects from these vaccines are rare. Most 

side effects from vaccines are very minor and the benefits of 

these vaccines far outweigh any possible risk of side effects. 

Some preteens and teens may faint after getting a shot or any 

other medical procedure. Sitting or lying down for about 15 

minutes after getting shots can help prevent injuries that could 

happen if your child were to fall while fainting. 

Can I get help paying for these shots? 

American Indian/Alaska Native children younger than 19 years 

of age can get shots for free through the Vaccines 

for Children (VFC) Program. 

All IHS, tribal, and urban Indian 

health clinics offer shots 

through the VFC program. 

So do many private doctors. 

Check with your healthcare 

provider or your local clinic. 

CS258607-A 

Dec 2015