Top 5 Must-Have Immunizations for Your 10 Year Old

It’s that time of the year again, parents: Back to school! Maybe the uncertainty of the pandemic has increased your anxiety levels about what you can do to protect your 10-year-old kid. Or perhaps you’re not sure what vaccinations he/she needs to get before heading back to school. No need to worry. Here, we’ll go through the top 5 must-have immunizations for your 10-year-old before he/she goes back to school.

1. HPV Vaccine
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It’s responsible for causing cancer in both men and women. The HPV vaccine helps protect against the most common types of cancer-causing HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10-14 years old children can take two doses of the HPV vaccine. So, it’s the perfect time to ask your doctor about getting the vaccine if your child hasn’t done it yet.

2. Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream). Both can be deadly and can occur quickly. That’s why school districts in many states mandate that children receive their meningococcal vaccine before starting middle school. If your child already got it but hasn’t received a booster shot yet, now is a good time to check with your doctor about making sure your child is up-to-date with the latest immunizations.

3. Tdap Vaccine
Tdap is a vaccine that helps protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). We know kids start to socialize more at this age, so they can easily catch whooping cough from their peers at school. Symptoms can be severe and long-lasting, so getting vaccinated is the best way to decrease the risk of getting it. The CDC recommends a booster shot of Tdap for children between the ages of 11 and 13.

4. Annual Flu Vaccine
Getting vaccinated is the single most effective way to protect against the flu. It’s recommended that children get vaccinated against the flu annually, especially because children can suffer more severe symptoms and complications from the flu. According to the CDC, everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, usually in the form of a shot.

5. Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe itching, fever, and fatigue. The varicella vaccine is highly effective at preventing chickenpox and its complications. Although you’re probably well aware of your child’s chickenpox vaccine status, if you’re not, now is a perfect time to check and make sure your child is vaccinated.

Bottom line
Keeping your child up-to-date on vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do to protect them from severe, preventable illnesses. Remember, before your child goes back to school this year, make sure these top 5 immunizations are on your radar. It’s always best to check with your doctor about your child’s vaccination status. Nevertheless, taking the time to ensure they’re protected now means they can focus on what really matters when they’re in school: learning and growing.

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