If your child is college bound, her university is going to want to see a complete list of immunizations, dictated by state laws, which require basic immunizations against diptheria, for example, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. And if your child is heading overseas for study abroad or gap year programs, community service, military duty or some backpacking and hosteling action, it's even more essential to schedule a visit with the doctor. Here are three vaccinations that should be on any teen or 20-something's list:
- Tetanus and Whooping Cough: Tetanus or "lock jaw" is one of those old-fashioned diseases great-grandparents talk about. The violence of the muscle spams and horrifying progression of a disease that begins with a simple, infected scrape sounds like something out of a grim Grimm fairy tale. But tetanus is a global health problem that is nearly 100% preventable, thanks to a highly effective vaccine. Whooping Cough, or Pertussis is a severe coughing disease that is most severe in young children. In teenagers and young adults, the symptoms are often difficult to differentiate from other common respiratory illnesses, but can cause severe complications. In addition, teenagers and adults can serve as a source of infection in unprotected young children. The new combined Tetanus and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is now recommended for all adolescents age 11 to 12 with catch up till age 18 for those that have not received it yet. Once the teenager has received a Tdap vaccine they then only need a Tetanus booster every 10 years. Make sure your college-aged kid gets one.
- Meningococcal vaccine: This vaccine guards against four types of meningococcal meningitis, including two out of the three most common forms of bacterial meningitis in the United States. This virulent disease spreads quickly - most patients don't realize their vague flu-like symptoms are a deadly infection of the blood or spinal fluid until the disease has progressed to a dangerous degree. The new Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is now the preferred vaccine for teenagers and young adults. Click here for more information on meningitis and college requirements for the vaccine.
- Human Papillomavirus or HPV: This relatively new vaccine protects against the virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancer and genital warts cases. The vaccine - a three-shot series delivered over a six month period - is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for young women up to age 26. (It is not recommended for young men.)
- More to consider: In addition to making sure your child's Hepatitis B, polio, measles-mumps-rubella and chickenpox (Varicella) vaccines are up to date, make sure he gets a tuberculosis test. Most colleges require a recent one. Depending on your family's circumstances, you may also want to talk with your doctor about flu shots and the Hepatitis A vaccine as well.
