Adolescent Immunizations
Most parents are diligent about having their babies vaccinated. Unfortunately some parents don’t realize that adolescents need vaccinations to keep them well and give them a healthy foundation for adulthood.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. Along with the recommended childhood vaccines, some vaccines are now routinely recommended by the ACIP for pre-teens and teens. Children 11-12 years of age should be given meningococcal (MCV4) and tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines. HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine is routinely recommended for girls at 11-12 years of age and can also be given to boys. Older adolescents who have not received these vaccines should be immunized, too. In addition, pre-teens and teens should get influenza vaccine every year.
It’s not too early to start thinking about the next school year. In fall 2009, new school immunization rules were approved by the Michigan Legislature for the 2010-11 reporting year. Beginning January 1, 2010, all sixth grade students who are 11 years of age and older, as well as all children 11 through 18 years of age who are changing school districts, will need:
- Two doses of varicella (Var) vaccine or history of chickenpox disease
- One dose of meningococcal (MCV4 OR MPSV4) vaccine
- One dose of tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine (if 5 years have passed since last dose of tetanus/diphtheria vaccine - DTaP, Td or DT)
Many children in this age group are missing these vaccines. According to December 2009 Michigan Care Improvement Registry data, 27% of 11-12 year olds have been vaccinated with MCV4 vaccine and 33% of 11-12 year olds have been vaccinated with Tdap vaccine.
Back-to-school check-ups and sports physicals are an ideal time to ensure that your patients are fully immunized. Integrating vaccine administration with other preventative and acute health care visits is a key strategy to ensuring your patients are protected. Vaccinating older children and adolescents according to the current immunization schedule for those 7-18 years of age will ensure your patients are fully protected and will meet school entry requirements for children in this age group. Other effective strategies include using standing orders and letting parents know when vaccines are needed. ACIP also emphasizes the importance of establishing a routine office visit at 11-12 years of age. Consider integrating these strategies into your practice if you have not already done so. Start now - catch your patients who need vaccines and beat the rush for “back to school” shots in the fall.
For more information visit: www.michigan.gov/teenvaccines.
