Teenagers
Adolescence is an important time to have vaccines due to an increased risk of exposure to some diseases as well as the decrease in previous immunity gained from childhood vaccines.
Teenagers
Fast facts
- Protection gained from vaccines given in early childhood can decline by adolescence, leaving teenagers vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases.
- Teenagers are at increased risk of exposure to certain diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal.
- Teenagers can access vaccines through their GP, local pharmacy, local council or through the secondary school immunisation program.
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Vaccines that are recommended for teenagers include:
- Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal (ACWY and B strains)
- COVID-19
- Flu (influenza).
Some teenagers may have missed immunisations in childhood and may require a catch-up schedule to make sure they are protected. To find out more, chat to your GP or immunisation provider.
Teenagers
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
HPV is a virus that is most commonly sexually transmitted and can cause genital warts and some cancers, like cervical cancer. Up to 90% of the population will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Most HPV infections have no clinical symptoms, meaning people can transmit the virus without knowing.
For the best protection, it is important that HPV vaccines are administered before coming into contact with the virus through sexual activity.
HPV vaccines are offered to year 7 students (aged 12-14 years) as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Teenagers
Meningococcal vaccines
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. Symptoms of meningococcal can include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache or neck stiffness. A distinct purple rash is often present. It can lead to brain or spinal cord inflammation (meningitis), blood infection (septicaemia) and lung infections (pneumonia). Symptoms can progress quickly and lead to death within hours.
Teenagers (along with children < 2 years) are at the highest risk of meningococcal disease.
Prevention through vaccination is the most effective way to provide protection. Meningococcal ACWY vaccines are offered to year 10 students (aged 15-16 years) through the NIP. Meningococcal B vaccines are also available and highly recommended but are not funded as part of the NIP. They are available via your local immunisation provider.
Teenagers
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory symptoms, to more serious disease with lung infections (pneumonia), organ failure or death. Long COVID can also occurs where symptoms continue for weeks or months after the initial diagnosis. These symptoms include brain fog, fatigue, chest pains or gastrointestinal symptoms.
Overall, teenagers experience milder symptoms of COVID-19 disease compared with adults, however infection occurs at similar rates. There are certain medical conditions that can increase the risk of severe disease in adolescents, such as obesity, Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21), immunosuppressive conditions, cancers, diabetes, respiratory illnesses like asthma and cystic fibrosis, heart disease or disabilities. Immunising against COVID-19 protects against severe disease and hospitalisation, particularly for those who are at higher risk.
It is also important to consider the other benefits of protection when considering vaccination. Teenagers have experienced significant disruptions to schooling, social activities and impacts on mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Immunising them is a safe and effective way to provide protection and limit the need for further isolation due to infection.
Teenagers
Flu (influenza)
Flu is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can sometimes lead to serious illness, hospitalisation or even death in otherwise healthy people.
Yearly flu vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect all teenagers against flu disease and its complications.
Teenagers who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or who have underlying medical conditions (like cardiac disease or severe asthma) can receive free flu vaccines.
Other teenagers can access flu vaccines from their GP, pharmacist or local council for a small fee.
Teenagers
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough)
Diphtheria is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause a blockage of the upper airways.
Tetanus is bacteria which lives in dirt and animal waste and can enter the body through open wounds. Infection can cause painful muscle spasms that can lead to breathing difficulty.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a bacterial infection that can cause severe coughing and lead to lung infection (pneumonia), brain swelling (encephalitis) and brain damage. It is spread easily and most often causes severe symptoms in the very young and older population.
Previous immunity gained from childhood doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines can reduce over time. It is important that further booster doses are provided to teens to give ongoing protection. It is given in year 7 (for 12-14 year olds) as part of the NIP.
Everything you need to know
FAQs
It is recommended that people with needle phobia avoid going to large scale vaccination sessions for immunisations as they can be loud, crowded and can increase distress. A smaller setting, like your GP, is preferred. For practical strategies on immunising people with needle phobias or how to access further support, please refer to our Needle phobia page.
Travellers may be at an increased risk of vaccine preventable diseases and may require certain vaccines, depending on the location/s to and the length of travel. For further information, refer to Travel medicine.
Some conditions or medications can cause people to have a weaker immune system making them more vulnerable to diseases. Because of this, additional vaccines may be recommended for extra protection. People with weakened immune systems should also avoid lives vaccines. For further information on vaccines and immunocompromised people, refer to our page Immunosuppression and vaccines.
Fainting before/during/after being immunised is a common response to stress and is a reaction to the process, not the vaccine. If this occurs, it is still safe to proceed with further immunisations in the future. To reduce the risk of fainting, it is recommended that your teenager lays down before, during and after being immunised (for at least ten minutes) and has a meal prior to being vaccinated (i.e. doesn’t skip breakfast) as this will reduce the risk of fainting.
In Victoria, teenagers or children under the age of 18 years can provide their own consent to vaccination following a thorough discussion with their vaccine provider and they can demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of the risks and benefits to vaccination. This is often referred to as “Gillick competence”.
Parents are able to access their child’s immunisation record up until they turn 14 years of age. This can be done by accessing their Medicare online account through the myGov website or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
Once a teenager turns 14 years of age, only they can access their immunisation record due to privacy reasons. This can be done by setting up their own myGov account, and accessing via their Medicare online account or Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
