Back To School Vaccinations

Toni Zastrow, RN, BSN, NCSN

June 22, 2022

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General Health

Vaccines are the best way to protect your child's health

As you are making your back-to-school checklist for your preteen, we encourage you to make sure your sons and daughters get all the vaccines that are required/recommended for them. Schedule your child's appointment today to ensure they are up-to-date on the vaccines they need.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend your son or daughter receive the following vaccines:

• One dose of Tdap vaccine is required for preteens as they enter 6th grade to continue providing protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
• Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for preteens at age 11 or 12 for protection against bacteria that cause meningococcal disease, a very serious illness which can lead to death in as little as 48 hours. A second shot is recommended for teens at age 16 to continue providing protection.
• HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens at age 11 or 12 to protect against cancers and other diseases caused by HPV infection.  Both boys and girls should receive three doses of HPV vaccine to protect against these serious diseases. Your preteen should receive the second dose a month or two after the first dose, and the third dose six months after the first dose.
• Preteens and teens should also get the flue vaccine every year, ideally as soon as the vaccine is available.

The State of Wisconsin requires a Tdap booster for school entry by the 30th day of 6th grade; to learn more about the state immunization requirements, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws

Protect your preteen and talk with your child's clinician about what vaccines they need.

To learn more about adolescent vaccines, please visit CDC's Vaccines for Preteens and Teens website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens