Children’s pre-teen years are a time when their world is full of exciting new experiences and newfound freedoms. However, parents know that adolescence comes with new risks and potential dangers.

Parents can protect their preteens now and in the future by making sure that their children are vaccinated against potentially fatal diseases like meningitis, whooping cold, and cervical cancer.

Vaccines do not only apply to infants. Many parents are not aware that doctors recommend multiple vaccines for children aged 11 and 12.

“The protection provided by some childhood vaccines wears off over time, and as they get older, young people are at risk of exposure to different diseases at school or camp or in other new situations,”Dr. Anne Schuchat is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immuniization and Respiratory Diseases. “What’s more, research shows that pre-teens generally do not get preventive health care, visiting the doctor only when they are sick. We at CDC urge parents to schedule a routine check-up for their 11- or 12-year-olds to discuss their child’s health and development and to talk with the doctor about recommended vaccinations.”

What vaccines are required for pre-teens? For 11- and 12-year-olds, three safe and effective vaccines should be used. Pre-teens need to be vaccinated against Tdap. This vaccine combines protection against tetanus with highly contagious diphtheria, whooping cough (also called pertussis), in one shot. MCV4 protects against meningitis, its complications, and Tdap should be given to all pre-teens. Pre-teen girls need to be vaccinated against HPV (humanpapillomavirus). This vaccine is the first ever to protect against cervical cancer, which kills nearly 4,000 American women each year.

“The vaccine works best when it is given before the onset of sexual activity,”Dr. Schuchat. “And at age 11 and 12, girls have the best and strongest immune response to this vaccine.”The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians support these recommendations for preteens.

Parents should also make sure their children are up-to-date on other immunizations such as influenza, chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis B and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Some pre-teens may need additional shots depending on their medical history and health.

Visit the CDC’s Pre-teen Vaccine Web Site to learn more about vaccines and diseases that they prevent. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pre-teenCall (800) CDCINFO