In addition to Pfizer BNT, what vaccines should adolescents receive? Doctor: You should also get HPV and influenza vaccines!
BNT vaccines are arriving in Taiwan one after another, and school vaccinations are in full swing, but do parents know what vaccines teenagers should still receive in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Chen Zhidao, director of the Department of Family Medicine of Yadong Hospital and chairman of the Society of Adolescent Medicine and Health Care, reminded that parents are currently focused on the COVID-19 epidemic and may neglect to vaccinate against vaccines such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza, which are important for growing children. Teenagers are equally important.
Teenagers should receive the following vaccines during their early childhood
Chickenpox vaccine (Varicella)
Those who have not been vaccinated and have not had chickenpox are recommended to receive 1 dose at their own expense. Those over 13 years old should receive 2 doses, with an interval of at least 4-8 weeks between the 2 doses.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis B is closely related to cirrhosis and liver cancer. The virus is transmitted through body fluids or blood, such as close contact, blood transfusions, injections, etc. Many people are easily infected in adolescence due to insufficient protective measures.
If you have been vaccinated, the antibody titer may disappear over time. It is recommended to test for hepatitis B antibodies and further consult your doctor whether it is recommended to take a supplementary dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Measles, mumps, and rubella are all spread by droplets. The vaccine can prevent complications such as otitis media, pneumonia or encephalitis; testicularitis and ovary inflammation, which affect fertility; early infection of German measles in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or malformation.
Antibody titers may disappear over time, so it is recommended that teenagers test for MMR antibodies.
Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination
It is recommended that those who have not been vaccinated with Td between the ages of 11 and 12 can directly add Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (TdaP, Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis), and every ten years thereafter. Add another dose of Td.
It is recommended that “teenagers” should receive the following vaccines
Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important sexually transmitted infection and is related to genital warts and cervical cancer in women. It is recommended for women aged 9-26 and high-risk men to be vaccinated. This is during the teenage years when sexual activity is active. When symptoms begin After having sex, the chance of contracting HPV increases significantly. The best period for vaccination is for those who have not had sexual intercourse or have not been infected with HPV. However, if they have had sexual intercourse, teenagers are also urged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their partners’ health.
Flu vaccine
Influenza viruses mutate easily, with slightly different strains circulating each year. Teenagers who are socially active can easily spread the disease to each other. It is recommended that all teenagers (and children over six months old) receive a dose of influenza vaccine every year to enhance herd immunity and avoid the threat of influenza epidemics.
Recommended vaccines for “high-risk groups”
Hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis A is transmitted through fecal-oral route and is more likely to occur in areas with poor sanitary conditions. Infections caused by consumption of virus-contaminated food or water can lead to acute liver inflammation. Travelers to areas where hepatitis A is prevalent are recommended to take 2 doses, 6-12 months apart, to provide protection for more than 20 years.
Meningococcal meningitis vaccine
There are cases of Neisseria meningitidis infection all over the world. The main endemic areas are located in the “African Meningococcus Belt” area south of the Sahara Desert and across central Africa. It is easy to cause disease spread in crowded places or activities. It is recommended that high-risk young people who are traveling or studying abroad should be treated with Neisseria meningitidis. beat.
If you have congenital or acquired immune insufficiency, chronic cardiopulmonary disease, such as congenital heart disease, asthma, splenic dysfunction or splenectomy, you may consider administering the following vaccines at your own expense:
Pneumococcal Vaccine
The germs are transmitted through droplets and can invade the respiratory tract or blood and cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. It is recommended for teenagers in high-risk groups to be vaccinated.
Chen Zhidao, Chairman of the Society of Adolescent Medicine and Health Care, calls on teenagers and parents to first review possible vaccine options based on personal disease history, vaccine history and risk factors, and then go to a medical hospital for a comprehensive vaccine assessment. Vaccine protection is worthwhile on the road to growth. What needs to be paid more attention to is vaccination to protect yourself and your family.
*Before and after administering the COVID-19 vaccine, if you want to administer the above-mentioned vaccines, please be sure to consult and evaluate with your doctor before confirming whether to administer the vaccine.
