Adolescents

Get the Vax – Pre-Teens and Teens Need Vaccines

Teenage student Talk to your health care provider about CDC-recommended vaccines for pre-teens and teens.

Both boys and girls need these key immunizations to help protect them. They include:

Tdap series
HPV series
Meningitis
Influenza

Ask your doctor during your child’s immunization visit. Find more information on the CDC-recommended immunization schedule and school requirements.

Children and Adolescents Age 7 Through 18 Years

	Minimum interval between doses
Vaccine	Age for first dose	First to second	Second to third	Third to forth
Meningococcal ACWY	N/A	Eight weeks
Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis	Seven years	Four weeks	Four weeks If the first dose of DTaP was administered before first birthday. Six months (as final dose) if first DTaP was administered at or after first birthday.	Six months If first dose of DTaP was administered before first birthday.
Human Papillomavirus	Nine years	Routine dosing internals are recommended
Hepatitis A	N/A	Six months
Hepatitis B	N/A	Four weeks	Eight weeks and at least 16 weeks after first dose
Inactivated poliovirus	N/A	Four weeks	Six months A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered 4 years of age and at least six months after the previous dose.	A fourth dose of IPV is indicated if all previous doses were administered at less than four years or if the third dose was administered less than six months after the second dose.
Measles, mumps, rubella	N/A	Four weeks
Varicella	N/A	Three months if younger than 13-years-old. Four weeks if aged 13 or older.
Dengue	Nine years	Six months	Six months

Diseases and the Vaccines That Protect You

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness spread from person to person that causes symptoms such as fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough. In serious cases, it can lead to respiratory failure, hospitalization, and death. There are many risk factors for severe COVID-19, including obesity, pregnancy, and certain chronic lung diseases. COVID-19 can be prevented by several prevention methods such as staying home from school and work when ill.

General Symptoms:	Fever or chills Fatigue Shortness of breath Cough Muscle or body Aches Congestion or runny nose New loss of taste or smell Headache Sore throat
Serious Outcomes:	Hospitalization Respiratory failure or require a ventilator to help them breathe Intensive care Long COVID Death
Risk:	Older adults, those aged 50 years and older Immunocompromised or weakened immune system Underlying health conditions such as: Obesity Chronic lung diseases such as COPD and pulmonary embolism Cancer Chronic kidney, liver, heart diseases Asthma Diabetes types 1 and 2 Disabilities such as Down Syndrome Dementia Pregnancy Smoking (current and former)
How it spreads:	Contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person when they are talking, sneezing, or coughing Contact with a surface with the COVID-19 virus on it and then touches their nose or mouth.
Prevention:	Avoiding contact with people who might be ill Wearing masks or respirators Improving ventilation and filtration by bringing in outdoor air, using HEPA filters, and turning on exhaust fans or spending time outside when possible Staying home from school or work if you are feeling ill

The General Appropriations Act, House Bill 1 (H.B. 1), Article II, Rider 40, is effective September 1, 2023. Rider 40 prohibits the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) from using appropriated funds to promote or advertise COVID-19 vaccinations.

Learn more:

Diphtheria

Diphtheria starts with a sore throat, fever and chills, followed by a thick white or grey coating in the back of the throat. Which makes it hard to breathe or swallow. For some people, this coating can become so thick that they have difficulty breathing, which can lead to death. The diphtheria vaccine gives children protection without the risk of serious complications.

General Symptoms:	Sore throat Mild fever (101 degrees or less) Chills White or grey coating in the throat
Serious Outcomes:	Difficulty or inability to breathe Nerve damage Damage to the heart, including abnormal heart rhythms and myocarditis (inflammation in the heart) Death
Risk:	Highly contagious
How it spreads:	Breathing in droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough. Contact with objects used by someone with the infection. Contact with surfaces that have been touched by the infected person. The virus can live on surfaces for months.
Prevention:	Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Combo vaccine (DTaP)

Learn more on the CDC’s diphtheria page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Diphtheria.

Flu

Influenza (flu) is caused by viruses that can come in multiple strains. It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches, though in serious cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and/or death. Certain people such as young children and older adults are at risk for more serious infection. The flu is a seasonal illness that typically occurs around fall and winter. Getting annual flu vaccinations, washing your hands, and maintaining proper hygiene can protect against the flu.

General Symptoms:	Fever or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Body or muscle aches
Serious Outcomes:	Pneumonia Sinus and ear infections Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues Multi-organ failure Sepsis Hospitalization Death
Risk:	Pregnant women Children 5 years and younger Adults 65 years or older People with chronic health problems such as heart or lung disease
How it spreads:	The flu is spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. The flu can also be spread when a person touches a surface with the flu virus on it and then touches their nose or mouth.
Prevention:	Getting vaccinated against the flu each year. Washing your hands Covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or your sleeve. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth Cleaning common surfaces like doorknobs, handles, and keyboards Staying home from school or work if you are feeling ill

Learn more on the CDC's Flu page.

DSHS Immunizations | TVFC Flu Statistics and Resources

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. with more than 150 types. Most people will have HPV at some point in their lives. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and certain cancers. HPV and its associated cancers can be prevented with getting vaccinated against HPV, getting screened for cervical cancer, and taking precautions if you are sexually active.

General Symptoms:	Most people are asymptomatic People who do have symptoms may have genital warts, which are growths around the vagina, penis, or anus
Serious Outcomes:	Genital warts Cancers, which include cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers
Risk:	Being sexually active and having a new sex partner increases your risk.
How it spreads:	HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity with another person While rare, HPV can pass from mother to baby during childbirth
Prevention:	Getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine can protect against the most common cancer-causing variants of HPV Using latex columns if you are sexually active, Getting screened for cervical cancer if you are a woman aged 21 to 65 years old Having a relationship with a partner who is only having sex with you

Learn more on the CDC's HPV page.

Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal Disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood infection). Complications of meningococcal invasive disease can result in permanent hearing loss, brain damage, loss of limbs, and death. Vaccines are available to prevent certain strains of meningococcal disease.

General Symptoms:	High fever Rash of small purplish spots Vomiting Visual sensitivity to light Mental confusion Drowsiness Chills Neck stiffness
Serious Outcomes:	The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing widespread infection and inflammation throughout the body. The infection can cause tissue damage and necrosis, requiring an amputation. Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, and other neurological complications.
Risk:	Children younger than 1 year old Teens and young adults ages 16 through 23 years old Adults 65 years and older Those with persistent complement component deficiencies Those with functional and anatomic asplenia Those with an HIV infection Microbiologists are at increased risk if they routinely work with the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. People who live in close quarters with others including military recruits and college students who live in dormitories International travelers to places where meningococcal disease is common
How it spreads:	Direct contact with respiratory and throat secretions (e.g. kissing) Indirect contact (e.g. sharing of eating utensils, toothbrushes), or Aerosol droplets (e.g. coughing and sneezing).
Prevention:	People 10 years or older who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit All preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old with a booster dose at 16 years old MenACWY vaccination. People 10 years or older at increased risk for meningococcal disease MenB vaccination. MenABCWY vaccination

Learn more on the CDC’s meningococcal disease page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Meningococcal Invasive Disease.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious disease caused by bacteria that live in soil, dust and manure. Also known as “lockjaw,” tetanus causes painful muscle contractions, often starting in the jaw and neck, that can make it hard to open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus can lead to death. The DTaP vaccine is the best way to give children protection from tetanus without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

General Symptoms:	Jaw cramping Sudden, involuntary muscle spasms, often in the stomach Painful muscles and stiffness all over the body Trouble swallowing Seizures Headache Fever and sweating Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Serious Outcomes:	Breathing problems Muscle spasms, which can be strong enough to break a child’s spine or other bones Paralysis Death
Risk:	Not transmitted from person to person
How it spreads:	Bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin such as punctures, cuts, sores, burns and animal bites.
Prevention:	Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Combo vaccine (DTaP)

Learn more on the CDC’s tetanus page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Tetanus.

Menu Title

Menu Title

Menu Title

Menu Title

Menu Title

Adolescents

Get the Vax – Pre-Teens and Teens Need Vaccines

Children and Adolescents Age 7 Through 18 Years

Diseases and the Vaccines That Protect You

COVID-19

Diphtheria

Flu

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Meningococcal Disease

Tetanus