In this article, we will explore the significance of vaccines for adolescents and the various aspects that parents and caretakers need to keep in mind during these growing years of the child.
The period of adolescence is a significant milestone because children experience rapid physical, reproductive, cognitive and intellectual growth. Vaccination in adolescence prevents acute and chronic illness and also prevents certain cancers in adulthood. Vaccination at adolescence is aimed at protecting against infections that are more severe in adolescence, have higher incidence, boosting waning immunity to vaccines given during childhood and adolescence age-specific vaccines.
Vaccines given during adolescence can be grouped into 3 categories
1. Vaccines are recommended for all adolescents as part of their routine schedule
HPV Vaccine
Tdap vaccine
Influenza vaccine
Covid-19 vaccine
2. Vaccines recommended in case of missed/incomplete vaccination during childhood
Hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Typhoid vaccine
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR)
3. Vaccines recommended under special conditions
Japanese encephalitis vaccine (children living or travelling to risk areas)
Pneumococcal vaccine
Meningococcal vaccine
How Vaccines Help Mitigate Health Risks?
The following are some of the major benefits of vaccinating adolescents:
- Adolescents who receive vaccinations are less likely to suffer from serious illnesses, require hospitalization, or experience long-term health issues associated with certain diseases.
- Certain vaccines like HPV and Hepatitis B prevent cancers from occurring in adulthood.
- Vaccinated adolescents support herd immunity, which protects young people or people who are not able to get vaccinations due to medical conditions.
- It also aids in halting the spread of diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.
- Adolescents who receive vaccinations have a lower probability of missing school due to sickness, which supports their educational progress.
- By lowering the cost of hospital stays and treatments for diseases that can be prevented, vaccines lessen the strain on healthcare systems and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
Guidelines of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the US CDC recommend all adolescents receive the following vaccines
- Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and Td vaccines
Tdap given at 10 years of age (range 9-14 years) prevents waning of immunity against 3 diseases – diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Children should have the Tdap vaccine at 11 or 12 years of age. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are the three illnesses against which this vaccine serves as a booster. It’s a variant of the DTaP vaccine that children receive as a newborn. As the doses of the diphtheria and pertussis vaccines are smaller in the version intended for adolescents and adults, it goes by a different name. (However, the tetanus vaccination content is the same). A dose of Tdap is necessary at 10-12 years of age, irrespective of previous Tdap administration. If Tdap is unavailable, it can be substituted with Td.
- Influenza
Influenza viruses are the cause of the flu, a respiratory disease. Flu is contagious and can seriously infect children of any age who have certain chronic illnesses, such as asthma. It is recommended, that the influenza vaccine should be administered after six months of age in two doses, spaced four weeks apart, preferably during the pre-monsoon period. At other times of the year, the most current strain available should be used. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all children up to five years of age, after which it is advised primarily for those in high-risk groups.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Cervical cancer, anal and penile cancers, oral and throat cancers, and genital warts are all brought on by HPV. HPV vaccines are recommended as a two-dose schedule with a six-month interval for all individuals under 14 years of age. For those 15 years and older, including immunocompromised individuals, a three-dose schedule is recommended.
- COVID- 19
The coronavirus has been slowing down in its spread thanks to widespread immunization. An overwhelming body of research indicates that vaccines have offered protection against a disease that has killed millions of people worldwide. However, vaccinations remain our best line of defence since the pandemic is far from done. To underscore the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Indian government has expanded COVID-19 vaccine coverage to include youngsters aged 15 to 18.
The Final Takeaway
FAQs
In general, yes. In addition to feeling more exhausted than normal, adolescents may have slight pain and swelling where they received the injection. Covid vaccine side effects include slight fever, chills, body aches, and headaches. Usually, these side effects go away in a day or two.
Children and newborns receive vaccinations. Giving another dose throughout adolescence helps to improve immunity since, after the first few doses, the immunity these vaccinations confer fades with time.
Sometimes following a vaccination, your child may experience side effects like redness or soreness. In these cases, applying a cool, wet towel to the vaccinated region might help ease the pain.
References:
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/HPV-VACCINE.pdf
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/adolescent-health/#tab=tab_1
- https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Immunizations-for-Teenagers-and-Young-Adults.aspx
- https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/should-you-get-your-children-vaccinated-against-covid-19
- https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2017-more-than-1-2-million-adolescents-die-every-year-nearly-all-preventable
- https://www.indianpediatrics.net/jan2021/jan-44-53.htm
- https://iapindia.org/pdf/vaccine-information/Tdap-VACCINE.pdf
