Preteens Need Vaccines
Did you know that there are several recommended vaccines that most preteens should receive? By making sure people in this age group are up to date on important immunizations, parents and providers can protect children from dangerous diseases. Vaccines needed at the preteen doctor visit include:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pertussis (Tdap)
- Meningococcal
- Influenza (depending on the time of year)
The best place to be vaccinated is at your doctor’s office. If you do not have a medical provider, find out where you can go for drop-in vaccination services in San Francisco.
Measles: Are your vaccines up to date?
Measles is a very contagious viral disease that is spread through the air from person to person. Measles can be transmitted when someone with measles coughs or sneezes, and other people breathing the air containing the measles virus can then get measles. It is widespread in many parts of the world including Europe, Africa, and Asia. Although the last large outbreak of measles in California was in 2015, parts of the Pacific Northwest are currently experiencing outbreaks and California has had several cases this year.
Fortunately, measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing disease and has been routinely recommended in the United States for many years. Typically, children in the United States get their first dose of measles vaccine beginning at 12 months of age followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6 years. However, not everyone has received measles vaccine. 97 percent of people who receive two doses of measles vaccine develop lifelong immunity to measles. Make sure that you and your family are up to date on measles vaccine, especially before international travel.
Pregnant? Get Vaccinated to Protect Your Baby from Pertussis
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is an easily spread infectious disease. It can cause coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. Young babies can get very sick, very fast if they get pertussis. Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis. The pertussis vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap.
- Pregnant women need a Tdap shot during their third trimester of pregnancy (27 – 36 weeks), even if they were vaccinated before pregnancy.