The Basics
Doctors recommend that pre-teens ages 11 and 12 get important shots (also called vaccinations or immunizations). All pre-teens need:
- A Tdap booster shot: This shot protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis).
- An MCV4 shot: This shot protects pre-teens against a type of meningitis. Meningitis is a very serious infection of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord.
- 3 HPV shots: These shots protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and genital warts and anal cancer in women and men.
Tdap and MCV4 are each given as a single shot when your child visits the doctor at age 11 or 12. The 3 HPV shots are given over a 6-month period. Your child will also need an MCV4 booster shot at age 16.
