Immunizations
Adolescent Immunizations
Recommended immunizations
The importance of continued immunizations between ages 11 and about 21 years (adolescence) is not always recognized. Teenagers need to continue their immunization series and receive booster shots for continued protection (immunity) against diseases. Also, many teens were born after the current recommendations for certain vaccines, such as for hepatitis B, were established. So they may not have received all their needed shots (injections) in early childhood.
The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a specific immunization schedule for children and adolescents.13 This schedule outlines the vaccinations or booster shots needed during adolescence as well as when catch-up vaccinations should be given. Immunization schedules may vary in each province and territory.
Immunizations given to teens usually include:
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap)
This shot protects against tetanus, diptheria, and whooping cough (pertussis).
Who should get it?
- All teenagers between 14 to 16 years of age.
Teens who only received the booster for tetanus and diptheria (Td) should wait about 2 to 5 years before getting the Tdap booster.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), for girls
The shots, called Gardasil, protect against the four types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts.
Who should get it?
- Girls 9 to 13 years old, before they become sexually active, need three shots over 6 months.14
- Females ages 14 to 26, even if they are already sexually active, have had an abnormal Pap test, or have had an HPV infection should get the shot.
Provincial health plans may not yet cover the cost of Gardasil. You may have to pay for the vaccine.
If you or your daughter already has HPV infection, talk with your doctor about whether to get immunized. The shot has not been shown to help existing HPV infection, but it may protect against other HPV infection.14
Other immunizations
Some teens may need or want additional immunizations. Some immunizations may be required for situations that increase a person's risk for exposure to disease, such as being in group living situations (when attending university or summer camp) or travelling to foreign countries. These immunizations may include:
This shot protects against hepatitis A.
Who may need it?
- Teens who live in communities where there are outbreaks of hepatitis A.
- Teens who live in an area where there is increased risk for hepatitis A.
- Teens who will be travelling to certain foreign countries, such as those in Central or South America.
Hepatitis B (Hep B), if not previously received.
This is important if your child never got this shot.
This shot protects against hepatitis B.
Who should get it?
- Anyone 18 years of age or younger who has not had this shot should get three doses over a period of about 6 months.
Hep B immunization may also be recommended before entering university if not already given earlier.
Chicken pox (varicella), if not previously received
This is important if your child never had chicken pox or never got this shot.
This shot protects against chicken pox.
Who should get it?
- Teens and adults who are not already immune to the chicken pox virus should get this shot. Anyone who has this shot at 13 years of age or older should have two shots at least 4 weeks apart.
Chicken pox infection can be very serious when it occurs after childhood.
Not all provincial or territorial health plans cover the cost of chicken pox immunizations. You may have to pay for them yourself.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), if not previously received
This is important if your child never got this shot.
This shot protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Who should get it?
- Any child who did not get two doses after the age of 1 year needs to get it at age 11 or 12.
University students and international travellers may need written documentation that shows evidence of immunity, such as having two doses of MMR vaccine.
Meningococcal vaccine, if not previously given
This shot protects against meningitis and blood infections (sepsis). There are different meningococcal vaccines that protect people against certain strains of meningitis bacteria: conjugate and polysaccharide.
Who should get it?
- All children and teens between 14 and 16 years of age should get the meningococcal C conjugate, if they did not receive it as a child. The NACI does not recommend the polysaccharide vaccine for teens, unless they:
- Have an increased chance of becoming infected during an outbreak.
- Have a damaged spleen or has had the spleen removed.
- Live in or travel to areas of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as to certain parts of Africa or to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
- Are military recruits.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)
This shot protects against meningitis, pneumonia, and blood infections (sepsis).
Who should get it?
- Teens with certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease, need this shot.
Inactivated influenza (flu) shot
This immunization helps protect against the flu. Flu viruses are always changing, so the flu vaccines are updated every year. Protection lasts up to a year. Each province and territory may have different recommendations on who should get a flu shot.
Who should get it?
- The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) suggests everyone 6 months and older have a yearly flu shot.
- Teens with certain health conditions, such as asthma, chronic heart or lung disorders, or an impaired immune system, should get a yearly flu shot.
- Siblings or close contacts of all children 23 months of age and younger and of anyone who is in a high-risk category for complications of the flu should be immunized each year.
If you or your child is not high risk, you may have to pay for the flu shot.
To see what shots you or your child may need, ask your health professional or local health unit. You may also be able to find the immunization schedule on the Web site of your province's or territory's ministry of health.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana | Last Updated: May 23, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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