Teens have questions, especially when it comes to vaccines. So, you ask, we answer. Today we’re going to be highlighting some common questions teens have about vaccines.
1. “Why do I even need vaccines if I’m healthy?”
Even if you are healthy now, vaccines play an important role in protecting you from serious illness. Some vaccines – like the flu shot – protect people from fast-spreading viruses that can cause severe complications, even in healthy individuals. Others, such as the HPV vaccine, protect you from diseases like cancer that can develop later in life.
Vaccination also helps protect your community. When enough people get vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, making it harder for disease to spread and protecting those who can’t be vaccinated. For example, through widespread immunization, the U.S. was able to eliminate measles in 2000.
Getting vaccinated isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about keeping your loved ones and community healthy, too.
2.“I saw a video on TikTok saying vaccines are dangerous—is that true?”
In the U.S., vaccines must meet some of the highest safety standards in the world. Every vaccine goes through a robust development and testing process, including multiple phases of clinical trials to ensure safety and effectiveness. These trials are carefully designed and reviewed by independent experts before any vaccine is approved.
Safety monitoring doesn’t stop after approval. Ongoing studies and surveillance systems continue to track vaccine safety in real time, especially among populations that may have been underrepresented in clinical trials. This longstanding system ensures that vaccines remain as safe as possible for everyone.
Remember, information on social media can be posted by anyone – meaning it’s not always true! When you see something on TikTok, it’s always a good idea to check the sources of the video, and do some of your own research to understand how accurate it is.
3. “What’s the deal with the HPV vaccine? Why do I need it?”
The HPV vaccine protects against infections caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection can cause certain types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women, penile cancer in men and anal cancers in both men and women. The HPV vaccine prevents infection from the HPV types that cause over 90% of these cancers. To learn more, listen to our FACTSinnated podcast on HPV vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is a two vaccine-series that can begin for boys and girls at 9 years old. HPV catch-up vaccination is recommended through 26 years of age.
4. “Why are there so many meningitis vaccines? Do I need them all?”
Meningococcal disease is a rare but severe disease that can cause infections in the brain, spinal cord, and bloodstream; and can be fatal. There are a lot of serogroups of meningococcal disease, but five serogroups – A,B,C,W and Y – are the most common. There are multiple vaccines to protect adolescents and young adults from meningococcal disease and it can be confusing.
The MenACWY vaccine is a two-dose vaccine that covers four of the five common serogroups. It is recommended for all preteens (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.
In recent years, a new vaccine – MenABCWY – has become available. It protects against all five meningococcal serogroups. This vaccine may be an option for preteens and teens who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is most appropriate for you.
5. “Will it hurt or have side effects?”
Some vaccines might cause more discomfort than others, but even the “ouchiest” ones are just a quick pinch. Your arm may be sore for a day or so after getting the vaccine.
Side effects vary for different vaccines, but they are typically mild and go away quickly. If you have concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor. Even if the vaccine is a little painful or you have side effects, it’s still worth getting it to protect your health in the long run.
6. My doctor told me I need to get multiple vaccines at once – is this safe?”
Yes, it is considered safe to get multiple vaccines at once. Extensive research has evaluated the safety and effectiveness of giving different vaccines together., Before any new vaccine is approved for use, it is tested alongside vaccines already recommended for children of that age. The recommended vaccines are as effective and safe in combination as they are individually. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
7. “I’m worried about everything going on with the CDC – where else can I get reliable vaccine information?”
There are lots of associations with comprehensive vaccine information. Some of these include:
– Let’s Get Real About Childhood Vaccines by Immunize.org
– The American Academy of Pediatrics
– The American Academy of Family Physicians
– Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
8. “My friends are spreading vaccine misinformation. How can I talk to them about it?”
It can be tough to talk to a friend. Generally, it’s not productive to attack them. Instead of being confrontational, be curious., Try asking them where they heard that information, and why they think it’s true. You can also try countering it with correct information and directing your friends to reliable sources, such as the ones above.
For more tips, check out Unity’s youth webinar on countering misinformation.
Do you have other questions? Send them to us at unity@unity4teenvax.org and we can help answer all your vaccine questions!
