April is Adolescent Immunization Month
March 22, 2011 - Adolescents need vaccines to prevent disease. Vaccines such as Tdap (protects against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria), are required for entry into the sixth grade.
The following vaccines are also recommended for adolescents who have not already had them or completed the series:
- meningococcal (meningitis) – anyone age 11 and over
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- human papillomavirus (HPV) – 9- to 26-year-olds
- varicella (chickenpox)
- influenza (flu) – yearly
Check with your health care provider to make sure that your child is up to date on all required and recommended vaccines.
If your child does not have a health care provider, Wake County Human Services offers vaccination services at locations around the county .