Vaccine Considerations for Teens and Preteens Published Sept. 2, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Luchella Custodio and Senior Airman David Hoang 5th Medical Group MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- In the first two years of life most children receive an average of eight well child visits, a physical or checkup for the child to ensure they are reaching appropriate growth and cognitive functioning milestones as they age, along with routine vaccinations. However, by the time children reach adolescence the frequency of checkups and vaccination requirements decrease. As a result, vaccinations may not always be the first thing to come to mind for parents of teens and pre-teens. However, there are two vaccines available for this age group to protect against certain cancers and diseases: Meningococcal and Gardasil. Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges, a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord, caused by the meningococcus germ. While anyone can get meningococcal disease, teens and young adults from 16 years old through 23 years old are at an increased risk. Children should be initially vaccinated between 11 years old and 12 years old and a booster dose is recommended at 16 years old. As a military community, we are accustomed to having some health care related decisions made on our behalf in support of the mission. However, when it comes to our children vaccination information from news headlines and social media sources can make it difficult to make a well-informed decision. With any medicine, the meningococcal vaccine could possibly cause problems like a severe allergic reaction, but the likelihood of the vaccine causing serious harm or death is extremely small. The benefit of children and young adults receiving the vaccine far outweigh the minimal risk. Meningococcal disease can cause an infection in the bloodstream which can lead to nervous system problems, loss of limbs and in severe cases death within just hours. Another vaccine available to protect young adults from certain types of cancer is Gardasil. It is a vaccination approved for use in females 9 years old to 26 years old to prevent cervical cancer caused by the human papilloma virus. The vaccine is also available for males 9 years old through 26 years old based on their medical and social history. For males, the vaccine is for prevention of cancer caused by genital warts. A frequent concern expressed by parents is fear that the vaccine could give teens and pre-teens a false sense of security and encourage early promiscuous behavior. While this is an understandable concern, research does not support an increase in risky teen behavior as a result of receiving the Gardasil vaccine. The intent is to help prevent young adults from contracting this disease later on in life. As allergy immunization technicians, we recognize that receiving information from a reputable source is the number one way for parents to be sure they are making the best choice on behalf of their teens and pre-teens. Vaccination decisions require one to balance the greater good with the potentially minimal risks associated with new and emerging medicines. The 5th Medical Group is staffed with an array of experts and resources to provide up-to-date information to help one make the best choice regarding their child's vaccines. These medical professionals can also help provide tips on how to best talk with children so they have an understanding of the role these vaccinations play in their lives.