The Basics
Doctors recommend that 11 and 12 year olds get important shots (vaccines). All pre–teens 11 and 12 years old need the following shots:
- Tdap booster shot. This shot protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
- MCV4 shot. This shot protects pre–teens against meningitis. Meningitis is a very serious infection of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord.
As kids grow older, some of the childhood vaccines begin to wear off. That's why it's important to get another Tdap "booster" shot. Also, pre–teens are at greater risk for more diseases as they get older, like meningitis or HPV.
Tdap and MCV4 are each given as a single shot during your child's 11 or 12 year old checkup.
