Prioritize Wellness This School Year and Beyond
One of the best ways to support teen health and wellness is to ensure they are up to date with recommended vaccines. Vaccines protect against dangerous illnesses like meningitis, whooping cough, HPV, and flu. They are a valuable public health tool for protecting students, classmates, families, and the broader community – especially those who are more vulnerable.
Did you fall behind on vaccinations?
Teens lead busy lives and missed vaccination appointments happen. Catch-up vaccination is essential to staying healthy and meeting school immunization requirements. Talking with your primary care provider is a good way to determine what vaccines you need.
Learn What Vaccines You Need For Back To School
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines for adolescents and young adults be administered at different age ranges based on the immune system responses and the chance of developing certain diseases at certain ages. The Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is based on the CDC schedule.
- 11-12 Years – HPV (2 doses)*, Tdap, MenACWY dose 1**
- 13-15 Years – Catching up on missing vaccines.
- 16 Years – MenACWY Booster, MenB, or MenABCWY***
- 17-18 Years – Catch up on missing vaccines
- Annually at every age:
- seasonal flu vaccine
- COVID-19 ****
* The HPV series can begin at age 9. HPV catch-up vaccination is recommended through 26 years of age.
**The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for all pre-teens (ages 11-12). Since protection decreases over time, a booster shot is recommended at age 16.
***MenB vaccine is a two-dose vaccine recommended for ages 16-18. A MenABCWY vaccine is an option — preteens and teens who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit can receive MenABCWY vaccine instead. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is most appropriate for you.
****One or more doses of the current COVID-19 vaccine depending on health status/prior vaccination history and based on a decision process between the healthcare provider and the patient or parent/guardian.
Talk to your healthcare provider to make the best decisions for you based on your health and immunization history.
Learn more about the recommended vaccines for adolescents on our Know Your Vax page.
Have Questions? Talk to a Trusted Professional
School nurses, doctors, and pharmacists are on the front lines of keeping teens healthy. They’re trained to answer vaccine questions, help those who are behind on immunizations, and work with families to get teens caught up.
These professionals can help with:
- Vaccine record reviews and reminders
- Referrals to clinics or local vaccine providers
- Answering health questions with empathy and expertise
- Combatting misinformation with facts and care
- Determining a vaccine catch-up schedule
- Administering vaccines
Keeping adolescents healthy is key to helping them learn. School nurse Alicia Warden, RN, shares why vaccines make a difference every day.
5 Ways to Spot Vaccine Misinformation
Vaccine misinformation spreads quickly, especially online. False claims can confuse families and increase hesitancy. Learning to spot misinformation and find trusted sources is key to staying informed.¹⁻²
- Check the Source
- Is it a medical or government website? Trustworthy information can be found on websites run by government offices, medical schools, and professional or non-profit organizations.
- Watch for Red Flags
- Beware of sites using dramatic language or promoting one treatment as better than others. Good health information is balanced and doesn’t try to scare you.
- Confirm the Publication Date
- Reliable health information should be current and regularly updated. Reputable sources will include the date their site was written or updated near the bottom of the page.
- Find the Author
- Trustworthy resources will be written by health professionals and reviewed by experts in the field.
- Talk To an Expert
- If you’re unsure if the information is accurate, ask your doctor, school nurse, or another trusted health professional.
Use this checklist to help you assess the health information you find online.
What You Can Do
As a Parent…
Double-check your child’s immunization records before the school year starts. Make an appointment with your pediatrician or visit a pharmacy offering appointments to get up to date with any recommended vaccines. Ask your child’s school nurse if you’re unsure what’s required.
As a Teen…
Your voice matters! Talk to your parents and your doctor about vaccines. Understanding how vaccines protect you and your friends can help you feel confident and informed.
Join the conversation — download our Back-To-School Checklist and share that you’re up to date on vaccines on your Instagram story! Don't forget to tag us at @UnityConsortium so we can re-share.
As a Healthcare Professional…
You are one of the most trusted sources for accurate health and vaccine information. Help families make confident choices by sharing timely vaccine reminders and using tools like our 3Cs – Confident, Concise and Consistent communication – to promote vaccine confidence and encourage vaccination.
Looking for more vaccine insights? Explore our resources and subscribe to our newsletter below to stay up to date with the latest insights on adolescent vaccination!
- How to find reliable health information online. National Institute on Aging. January 12, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/how-find-reliable-health-information-online.
- Evaluating health information. MedlinePlus. February 26, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/evaluatinghealthinformation.html
- Community toolkit for addressing health misinformation. Office of Evaluation Sciences. 2021. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://oes.gsa.gov/collaborations/misinformation-toolkit
