WELLNESS & PREVENTIVE CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS
BY NATHAN BECKETT, MD, TIGER PEDIATRICS
As babies grow up, the frequency of their doctor visits slows down. By the time most kids are 3 years old, well child checks are recommended annually. Aside from influenza and COVID vaccines, the CDC-recommended immunization series pauses after 4 years old.
But even if your child’s school-age development seems on track, don’t skip regular pediatric visits. Kids benefit from routine well checks, including immunization beyond early childhood, and parents benefit from having a reliable and trusted partner to help them make the best decisions for their children.
There are a few important immunizations for kids entering their teen years. Pediatricians generally follow CDC guidelines for optimal timing to protect patients against vaccine-preventable diseases as early as possible. Of course, recommendations should be tailored based on a child’s individual risk factors.
Meningococcal serogroup A, C, W, Y vaccination (MCV)
Routinely given at the 11-year well check and boosted at the 16-year visit, this vaccine protects against Neisseria meningitides serogroups, which have historically caused the most cases of disease and death. Meningitis can be neurologically devastating to people who survive infection. This series is required by most school systems.
Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (Men B)
This two-shot series is usually given 4 weeks apart between 16 and 18 years. The vaccine provides additional coverage for adolescents at increased risk for infection during an outbreak, especially if they are immune-deficient or reside in close quarters, like a dorm. Although this immunization is considered generally safe, and more cases of meningitis are caused by serogroup B than all other serogroups combined, this vaccine is not mandated by most public-school systems.
Human Papilloma Virus immunization (HPV)
This vaccine is routinely given at the 11-year well check and boosted 6 to 12 months later. If the series is started when the patient is 15 years old, they will need an additional booster 1 month after the first dose. This vaccine is one of very few preventative therapies that can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. For girls, HPV immunization vastly reduces the risk of cervical cancer and precancer. For boys, the HPV series protects against common causes of some oral and throat cancers. This important vaccine is highly recommended but is not mandated by most school systems in Missouri.
Tetanus Booster
Given at the 11-year well check, the combination Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. This vaccine is boosted every 10 years for adults. This vaccine protects against several pathogens, including Clostridium tetani, which can cause paralysis; Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a rare infection that can cause severe damage to the throat and respiratory tract; and Bordetella pertussis, or whooping cough, a prevalent disease that can be devastating to infants who cannot yet receive the vaccine. Tdap boosters are recommended for all family members and anyone in a household with a newborn baby. Tdap immunization is required by most school systems.
Well checks for adolescents cover much more than routine immunization – they also review your child’s growth, sleep, diet, academic, and behavioral trends. Regular visits allow your teen’s doctor to monitor their health and detect any changes that may have major medical ramifications.
Being a teenager can be difficult no matter what era they grow up in, and while there are more creature comforts in 2023 than in 1993, adolescents face a growing list of challenges that weren’t present for older generations. Teens today face increasing incidences of mental health disorders and obesity, and they are exposed to increasing amounts of misinformation.
As a parent, it’s sometimes difficult to spot subtle changes or shifts in attitudes, behaviors, or health habits. For an adolescent, it can be difficult to talk about stressors or health concerns. Well child checks can bridge that gap and present an opportunity to review how your teen is affected by socioemotional and physical stressors, while building trust between patients, parents, and pediatricians.
With countless sources blurring the lines between information and entertainment, it can be difficult to know which sources to trust or who to believe. Misinformation can cause a poor understanding of health or inaccurate explanations of medical conditions, which poses inherent health risks. While a patient may benefit from some publicly shared knowledge, a doctor’s appointment lets them reflect upon their personal health experience and engage with their health in positive, productive ways.
Regular visits with a pediatrician can empower parents and teens. We owe the next generation an honest assessment of their collective and individual health so that, as they enter adulthood, they can take responsibility for their health, maximize their moment to move forward, and thrive despite barriers to success.
