HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is an infection that can cause cancers and genital warts in both males and females. HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls starting at 11-12 years old. The vaccine will help prevent them from developing certain cancers in the future. The HPV vaccine is given in 3 shots. Be sure that your child gets all 3 shots of HPV vaccine for full protection.

If your child is older than 11-12 years, your child can still start the HPV series. Talk to your doctor about how to get started!

Learn more about the HPV vaccine here.

Meningococcal bacteria cause meningitis and other serious infections, which can be fatal. The vaccine will help protect your child against meningococcal bacteria. All 11-12 years olds should be vaccinated with meningococcal vaccine. Your child will also need a booster shot of this vaccine at age 16 years.

One dose of the meningococcal vaccine is required for a teen to attend school in Philadelphia (public, private, parochial and charter) at either 6th or 7th grades.

Learn more about Meningococcal vaccine here.

Tdap vaccine is recommended for preteens at ages 11 or 12 years for protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Protection provided by the DTaP vaccine received in childhood wears off as children get older, so preteens and teens need a booster shot known as Tdap.

One dose of the Tdap vaccine is required for a teen to attend school in Philadelphia (public, private, parochial and charter) at either 6th or 7th grades.

Learn more about Tdap vaccine here.

Preteens and teens (and everyone else 6 months and older) should get the flu vaccine every year. The flu virus usually causes a cough, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue (tiredness) and sometimes fever. Flu spreads easily when sick people cough, sneeze, or talk. While most preteens and teens with the flu get better in a couple of weeks, some will get complications like sinus infections, or pneumonia (a serious lung infection). For preteens and teens who have chronic health problems like diabetes or asthma, flu symptoms can make their chronic health conditions worse.

Flu season begins each October. Talk to your doctor about the annual flu vaccine for your family.

Preteens and teens may also need a dose of Hepatitis A vaccine. Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is usually spread by close personal contact with someone who has the virus, and sometimes by eating food or drinking water containing HAV. A person who has hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household. Talk to your doctor to find out if your teen needs a dose of Hepatitis A vaccine!