Important Reminders
When they reach the ages of 11-13, adolescents need the additional protection provided by immunizations. Boosters continue the protection of the vaccines they received as infants and children. New vaccines are also available to protect against even more diseases, especially those prevalent among adolescents and young adults.
Parent’s to-do list:
- Update your child’s immunization record every time he or she visits his or her health care provider.
- Discuss the immunization schedule most appropriate for your child with his or her health care practitioner.
- If your child changes health care providers, be sure to request that his or her medical records, including immunization records, are transferred to his or her new health care provider.
- If you haven’t done so already, contact your adolescent’s health care provider to schedule an appointment!
- Ask your provider about combination vaccines and discuss a catch-up immunization schedule [dt/Tdap; Hepatitis B; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Hepatitis A; Inactivated Polio.]
Temporary shortages of vaccines may lead to a delay in scheduled immunizations, so be sure to have your child “catch up” on any necessary vaccinations as soon as the vaccines are available.
Most immunizations can be given together, which decreases the need for multiple shots/office visits.
