Preteen Vaccine Week (PVW) is a statewide promotion of the preteen doctor visit and
preteen immunizations as the first step towards a healthy start as an adolescent.
It’s important that 11 and 12-year-olds see the doctor and get immunized.
Immunity can diminish over time and your adolescent may be at risk for serious
diseases that can be easily spread, like whooping cough and chickenpox.
Parents of preteens are encouraged to schedule a check-up with their child’s
doctor to make sure all recommended immunizations are up-to-date. The
doctor may recommend several vaccines, including:
- Meningococcal vaccine (MCV) to protect against certain serious types of bacterial meningitis and other related infections.
- Tetanus booster (Tdap) to also protect against diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis).
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) 3-dose vaccine series that protects preteen girls against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer; boys may also get this vaccine.
- A second dose of chickenpox (varicella) vaccine (if they have never had chickenpox disease).
- Regular seasonal flu vaccine and the vaccine against H1N1 flu to protect themselves and others from influenza and its complications.
If your preteen does not have health insurance, or is only partially insured, ask your doctor or local health department about getting free or low-cost vaccines.
For more information about adolescent immunizations, please visit the Teens and Preteens page on this website.
You can also contact:
Melissa Crase, MPH
San Diego Immunization Branch
Phone: (619) 692-8805
Email: Melissa.Crase@sdcounty.ca.gov
