Keeping Preteens and Teens Free of Disease

Do you have a preteen or teen? Protect their future with vaccines.

Sussex County Public Health Nurses recognize August as National Immunization Awareness Month... a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

Taking them to their sports physical, making sure they eat healthy and get plenty of sleep... You know these are crucial to your child's health. But did you also know your preteens and teens need vaccines to stay healthy and protected against serious diseases?

As they get older, preteens and teens are at increased risk for some infections. Plus the protection provided by some of the childhood vaccines begins to wear off, so preteens need an additional dose (booster) to "boost" immunity. You may have heard about whooping cough (pertussis) outbreaks recently. Vaccine-preventable diseases are still around and very real. The vaccines for preteens and teens can help protect your kids, as well as their friends, community, and other family members.
There are four vaccines recommended for all preteens at ages 11 to 12:

• Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects against four types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious disease that can cause infections of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and blood (bacteremia). Since protection decreases over time, a booster dose is recommended at age 16 so teens continue to have protection during the ages when they are at highest risk of meningococcal disease.
• HPV vaccine, protects against the types of human papillomavirus, HPV, that most commonly cause cancer. HPV can cause future cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women and cancers of the penis in men. In both women and men, HPV also causes cancers in the back of the throat (including base of the tongue and tonsils), anal cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccination is recommended for preteen girls and boys at age 11 to 12. If your son or daughter hasn't started or finished the HPV vaccine series yet, it's not too late! The Sussex County Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing in Hamburg, NJ has this vaccine available to the uninsured. Now is a great time to give your doctor or Public Health Nursing (973-579-0570) a call to get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine has a very good safety record. Nearly 90 million doses have been given and no serious safety concerns have been linked to HPV vaccination. Possible side effects (pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given) after are generally mild and go away quickly.
• Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Tetanus and diphtheria are uncommon now because of vaccines, but they can be very serious. Whooping cough is common and on the rise in the United States. It can keep kids out of school and activities for weeks, but it is most dangerous- and sometimes even deadly- for babies who can catch it from family members, including siblings.
• Influenza (flu) vaccine, because even healthy kids can get the flu, and it can be serious. All kids, including your preteens and teens, should get the flu vaccine every year. Parent should also get vaccinated to protect themselves and to help protect their children from the flu.

Teens and young adults (16- 23 year olds) may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal (Men B) vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.

You can use any health care visit, including sports physicals, checkups, or some sick visits to get the shots your kids need. Talk with your child's healthcare professional to find out which vaccines your preteens and teens need. Vaccines are a crucial step in keeping your kids healthy.

All of these vaccines are available at your local health department, the Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing. We can be reached at 973-579-0570 X 1211 for an appointment or visit the County Website at www.sussex.nj.us/nursing for more information.

For more information about the vaccines for preteens and teens, check out https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/preteen-teen.html  or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing
973-579-0570
201 Wheatsworth Road
Hamburg, NJ 07419
www.sussex.nj.us/nursing