This post was sponsored by Unity Consortium as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Most of us think about babies and toddlers when we think about childhood vaccinations. Â However, as the kids get ready to go back to school, did you know there are some important vaccinations that teens need as well?
About 25% of parents and teens believe that vaccines are more important for babies and not as important for teens.  Making immunizations a central part of adolescent health is one of the best investments you can make to your teens’ long-term health.
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The CDC recommends these vaccinations for teens
- Meningococcal-includes two distinct meningococcal disease vaccines (ACWY and B)
- Tdap-tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and Td Booster (tetanus and diphtheria)
- HPV-human papillomavirus
- Flu
I live in Texas, and some of these recommended vaccinations are now required when a child enters 7th grade and before they enter college. Â But, that’s not the case in other states, so it’s up to parents to stay up to date on preventative health for teens which includes vaccinations.
Vaccination rates for teens are too low.
While a majority of parents and teens believe it’s important for teens to be vaccinated, there is a misconception that getting them is just for babies as rates are far lower than where they should be. Â A recent survey showed attitudes for both parents and teens towards preventative health keep them from making preventative health for teens a priority.
That same survey showed that 34% of teens don’t know how vaccinations help them and 41% of parents believe their teens only need to see a doctor when they’re sick, which means they often miss opportunities to discuss preventative healthcare like vaccines with their teens’ doctors. Â Read more about the survey.
How can we change this?
It’s very important to schedule annual check ups for tweens and teens when they are 11-12 years old and 16 years old. These are the ages for these recommended vaccinations. Â In doing so, you’ll have a chance to talk to your child’s doctor about preventative health and keep your teens and tweens up to date on their vaccinations.
The Unity Consortium is a nonprofit organization who is working to improve teen health by focusing on prevention and immunizations. Â They have a goal of ensuring 9 out of 10 teens are full vaccinated against preventable diseases.
Let’s make sure our teens and tweens are up to date on their vaccinations. Â Learn more about the survey and adolescent vaccinations and why they are important at Unity4TeenVax.org.
10 comments
My teens doctor loves to give out shots. My teen hates that she is always on top of that
My teen was not too happy with me when she went in for hers. I had to remember to have the same talk with her as I do the little ones. Shots are there to protect you. The quick pinch of a shot is minimal and much better than the diseases it protects you against!
We just went and got my teenagers vaccines all caught up before school starts. It is so important to stay on top of them.
Thanks for the useful information. Vaccinations are so important, especially for teenagers. All we need to do is to spread this message and make them realise the significance of vaccinations.
Parents are not always aware of all the vaccines, especially when their children get older. It helps when schools require vaccinations so parents can stay on top of them.
This was a great reminder to get my daughter caught up on her vaccinations. She needs the HPV and the meningitis vaccines.
This is a must! Better be prepared and safe than be sorry.
I remember having to get all these vaccines while I was still in high school and when starting college. Vaccines are so important for all ages to receive! This was a great post, thanks for sharing!
This actually serves as a reminder to everyone who haven’t gone for vaccination yet. You’d only realise things when it’s too late so better to do it right away to avoid having to suffer illnesses in the end. Thanks for sharing!
Vaccines are important for all ages to get. Great reminder for the older kids and adults too.