Older children and teens need vaccines too!

Purpose

Guide for parents and caregivers to ensure their teen is up-to-date on recommended childhood vaccines.

Recommended Immunizations for Children 7–18 Years Old, United States, 2024

Talk to your child's health care provider for more guidance if:

  1. Your child has any medical condition that puts them at higher risk for infection or is pregnant.
  2. Your child is traveling outside the United States.
  3. Your child misses any vaccine recommended for their age or for babies and young children.

Key

ALL children in age group should get the vaccine
SOME children in age group should get the vaccine
ALL children in age group can get the vaccine
Parents/caregivers should talk to their health care provider to decide if this vaccine is right for their child
Recommended Vaccines 7
Years
8
Years
9
Years
10
Years
11
Years
12
Years
13
Years
14
Years
15
Years
16
Years
17
Years
18
Years
HPV
Tdap1
Meningococcal ACWY
Meningococcal B
Influenza/Flu
Every year. Two doses for some children
Every year
COVID-19
At least 1 dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine
RSV
If pregnant during RSV season
Mpox
Dengue
ONLY if living in a place where dengue is common AND has laboratory test confirming past dengue infection

1 One dose of Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy

What diseases do these vaccines protect against?

Vaccine-Preventable Disease Disease Complications Number of Vaccine Doses
HPV (Human papillomavirus)
Contagious viral infection spread by close skin-to-skin touching, including during sex
Genital warts and many types of cancers later in life, including cancers of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus, and throat 2 or 3 doses
Tetanus (Lockjaw)*
Infection caused by bacterial spores found in soil and dust everywhere; spores enter the body through wounds or broken skin
Seizures, broken bones, difficulty breathing, death
1 dose at age 11-12 years
Additional doses if missed childhood doses

1 dose for dirty wounds

Diphtheria*
Contagious bacterial infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs; spread through air and direct contact
Swelling of the heart muscle, heart failure, coma, paralysis, death
1 dose at age 11-12 years

Additional doses if missed childhood doses

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)*
Contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airway; spread through air and direct contact
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia), death; especially dangerous for babies
1 dose at age 11-12 years
Additional doses if missed childhood doses

1 dose every pregnancy

Meningococcal**
Contagious bacterial infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord or the bloodstream; spread through air and direct contact
Loss of arm or leg, deafness, seizures, death
2 doses

Additional doses may be needed depending on medical condition or vaccine used.

Influenza (Flu)
Contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs; spread through air and direct contact
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia), sinus and ear infections, worsening of underlying heart or lung conditions, death
1 dose each year

2 doses in some children aged 6 months through 8 years

COVID-19
Contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, or lungs; may feel like a cold or flu. Spread through air and direct contact
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia); blood clots; liver, heart or kidney damage; long COVID; death 1 or more doses of the current COVID-19 vaccine depending on health status. For more information: www.cdc.gov/covidschedule
RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus)
Contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs spread through air and direct contact
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) and small airways of the lungs;
especially dangerous for infants and young children
1 dose at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy during September through January in most of the continental United States
Mpox
Contagious viral infection spread through close, often skin-to-skin contact, including sex; causes a painful rash, fever, headache, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
Infected sores, brain swelling, infection of the lungs (pneumonia), eye infection, blindness, death 2 doses
Dengue
Viral infection spread by bite from infected mosquito; causes, fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, rash, joint pain, body ache, nausea, loss of appetite, feeling tired, abdominal pain
Severe bleeding, seizures, shock, damage to the liver, heart, and lungs, death 3 doses

*Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis

**Healthy adolescents: Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (2 doses); Meningococcal B vaccine (2 doses if needed).

This parent-friendly schedule is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).