Department of Health Home A to Z Topics About the Department of Health Site Map Contact Us - Opens in a new window
floridashealth.com
Bureau of Immunization: Immunizations Across the Lifespan
A.G. Holley State Hospital Epidemiology STD Tuberculosis & Refugee Health

Adolescents & Teens

Preteen Vaccine Week

Pre-Teen Vaccine Week 2011February 13-19, 2011

Preteen Vaccine Week is an observance created to raise awareness of the importance of immunizations for “tweens” 11 and 12 years of age.

The goal of Florida's 2011 Preteen Vaccine Week campaign is to raise awareness about the Tdap vaccine requirement for 7th grade students and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, and to promote the preteen doctor visit through multiple avenues such as schools, providers, and the media.

Pertussis (whooping cough) has been widespread during 2010. The Department of Health recommends that all Floridians 10 years of age and older receive a booster dose of Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine against pertussis (whooping cough). Moreover, Florida law requires students entering seventh grade be immunized against pertussis.

The ACIP currently recommends that 11- and 12-year-olds receive:

  • Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine to protect against certain serious types of bacterial meningitis and other related infections.
  • Tdap vaccine booster to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. All 7th graders will need proof of a Tdap booster before starting school.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series that can protect girls against cervical cancer (a cancer in a part of the reproductive system) in adulthood. Boys may also get this vaccine.
  • Second varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (if they have never had varicella disease).
  • Annual influenza (flu) vaccine. This year’s flu vaccine protects against seasonal flu which includes the H1N1 strain.

This doctor’s visit is a great opportunity for healthcare providers, parents and preteens to discuss the challenges of growing up, such as eating right, standing up to peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and any other concerns. The doctor’s visit is also a good time for preteens to receive any required and recommended immunizations.

Preteens are at the age when they begin making important decisions and are ready to become more involved in their own personal health. The decisions they make at this age set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy choices. Make sure they get this message:

Shots may sting a little, but it’s much better than getting sick. Immunizations will help you stay healthy so you can keep doing the things you love—instead of being sick in bed.

It’s important for you to get your shots because you can spread diseases to others, even before you feel sick. If you get your shots, you will also help keep your friends, family, and school healthy.

Parents are the ultimate decision makers for their children. Parents are most likely to be the ones to take their children to their preteen doctor visit to get shots. The message for them is:

Because you can’t be by your preteen’s side every minute, immunizing your child is one thing you can do to protect their health for the many years to come.

If your child is 10 years of age and older and has not yet received Tdap vaccine, please contact your doctor or CHD. Getting a booster shot now will protect your child against the ongoing threat of pertussis and meet the school immunization requirement for seventh grade. If your child has not yet had a preteen check-up, give them a healthy start as an adolescent and make an appointment today!

Also advise adults to get a pertussis booster shot, if they haven’t already, to protect themselves and their family.

If a preteen does not have health insurance, or is only partially insured, provide them information about the VFC Program and free or low cost vaccines.

Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule