7 Things to Know About Vaccinations for Children and Adolescents

The CDC has established a recommended vaccination and immunization schedule for all healthy children and adolescents. Sticking to this vaccination schedule will ensure that your child completes the vaccine series for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and chickenpox. Vaccines to protect pre-teens and teens from human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningitis can be introduced and given to adolescents."

If you’ve fallen behind on your child’s vaccination schedule due to a relocation, COVID-19, or for any other reason, you can still immunize your child. The CDC provides a catch-up vaccination chart for children and adolescents who have fallen behind.

Vaccine Schedule for Kids 4-6 Years

By the age of 4-6, the pediatric vaccination schedule is nearly complete. Children should receive their last vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and Varicella (chickenpox). They will also receive their fourth diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, and final Polio vaccine (IPV).

Children between 4-6 years old should be getting their annual influenza vaccination as well. Parents may opt for the live Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is administered intranasally. . Children can also receive other live vaccines, such as MMR and Varicella, during the same visit. and prevent multiple trips to the doctor.

A child may receive all recommended live vaccines at the same time. If only one live vaccine is given, a minimum of four weeks must pass before the child can receive another live vaccine. This is because the immune system can mount a response to multiple live vaccines given at the same time.

However, if only one live vaccine is given, the body has already begun mounting an immune response to that specific vaccine, which may impair immunity building against another live vaccine if it were introduced less than four weeks later. When this happens, the second live vaccine given within the four week time frame does not count, and will need to be repeated.

Flu Vaccines for Kids and Teens

Healthy children, pre-teens, and teens should receive an annual flu vaccine. This is more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, as asthma is the most common chronic condition among children, and both COVID-19 and the flu attack the respiratory system.

The influenza vaccine is available as a live vaccine (nasal spray) or as an inactive vaccine (flu shot). Discuss with your health care provider which vaccine is best for your child, and take into consideration any underlying conditions or allergies your child may have.

For example, immuno-compromised children or those with asthma should not receive LAIV. Children with specific allergies to eggs, for example, may receive the flu shot, but only in their doctor’s office, in case epinephrine needs to be given to combat a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens

Preteens and teens should continue with yearly flu vaccines. They will also need their booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) ten years after they received their last DTaP.

The CDC recommends adolescents between the ages of 11-12 toalso begin receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil 9 vaccination series. Catch-up vaccinations are also recommended for all teenagers through 18 years of age.

The RxSaver price for Gardasil 9 at major retail pharmacies starts at $471.22

Preteens and teens should also receive their first dose of the meningitis vaccine at age 11 or 12, followed by the second dose at 16 years old.

Getting Vaccines During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic forced some medical offices across the country to temporarily close, operate with limited hours, or postpone many all appointments. As the country continues to reopen, it is crucial to get back on track with your child’s vaccine schedule. Vaccines are a normal part of the childhood experience, and maintaining the recommended vaccine and immunization schedule is essential to protect your child from preventable diseases

Across the country, health care providers have created and implemented new health and safety measures to keep you and your child safe during appointments. Some of the new safety protocols include:

• Reducing the number of parents and children in waiting rooms
• Requiring children and parents to wait in their cars until called into the medical office
• Scheduling appointments for healthy children during specific hours, and for sick children during other hours
• Allowing for only one guardian per child during appointments
• Providing telemedicine (video) appointments through HIPAA compliant apps

If you suspect that your child has been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider before you take them into the office. If anyone in your family is exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, refrain from taking your child to your doctor until you’ve notified the medical staff, and received instructions.

Is it ok to delay vaccines?

There are risks to delaying vaccines, so the CDC does not recommend intentionally delaying immunizations. However, your child can still be vaccinated if you are running behind. Indeed, when it comes to your child’s vaccinations and immunization schedule, it is better to be late than to skip a vaccine. This is especially true when it comes to flu vaccines for children, pre-teens, and teens during the COVID 19 pandemic.

What immunizations can pharmacists administer?

Pharmacy is a state-specific practice, so the vaccines that your child or adolescent may be able to receive from your pharmacist will depend on where you live. Traditionally, in some states, pharmacists may be limited to providing specific vaccines to adults. In other states, your pharmacist may be able to administer many vaccines, even to children.

But recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) in response to the CDC's concern of dropping childhood vaccination rates.

This act allows pharmacists nationwide to provide greater access to care. It outlines specific guidelines and training requirements for all licensed pharmacists to immunize children 3 years old and up according to the CDC vaccination schedule. It may not be much longer before your local pharmacist can begin administering childhood vaccines, if they were not able to do so before.

Speak with your pharmacist to learn which vaccines they may be able to provide your child.

Should all kids and teens be vaccinated?

Healthy children, pre-teens, and teens should follow the CDC’s recommended schedule for vaccinations. Parents or guardians of children with certain medical conditions should discuss the risks and benefits as well as timing of vaccines with their pediatricians.

Some children may not be healthy enough to follow the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule. This makes it even more important for all healthy children, pre-teens, and teens to receive or catch up on recommended vaccines if they have fallen behind.

Gardasil 9: 0.5 ml / 1 syringe

*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 8/13/2020. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.