Adolescents Vaccination

Adolescents become more susceptible to certain diseases, as the immunity

wanes with age and they travel more often.

Recommended Vaccines for Adolescents

• Rubella-RA 27/3 is given if MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella has not been

given at 15 months or thereafter. Arthralgia, arthritis and idiopathic

thrombocytopenic purpura may occur.

• Hepatitis-B WHO has recommended universal Hepatitis B vaccination.

For adolescents 0,1 and 6 months is a preferred schedule (no booster is

needed), if not vaccinated earlier.

• Typhoid Vi polysaccharide vaccine. It is given at 10 and 16 years of age.

Dose of 0.5 ml (25 μg) is given every 3 years, lifelong.

• Hepatitis A. Two doses are given at 6 months interval (from 1 year

onwards). If exposed, give within 10 days to the contacts.

• Chickenpox: Give to children >13 years since symtoms are more severe

in adults. Two doses are given. 4 to 8 weeks apart. After vaccination,

protection is only partial and child may develop a mild breakthrough disease.

• Human Papilloma Virus Immunization HPV Vaccine — A New Vaccine: Human

papilloma virus HPV has been linked to cancer of cervix and genital warts.

– The quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is given in age group of 9 to

26 years to girls ideally, prior to the onset of sexual activity.

– It protects against vulvar and vaginal cancers, as well.

– Efficacy is good and seroconversion is excellent and better than the

naturally occurring infection.

– It has purified recombinant virus-like particles of major capsid (L1)

protein of HPV.

– Mainly four types can cause cervical cancers, genital wart and

precancerous lesions. Each 0.5 ml IM dose given in the deltoid region

contains these four types:

  20 mcg of type 6

  40 mcg of type 11

  40 mcg of type 16

  20 mcg of type 18.

Dosage Schedule

• 3 doses of Gardasil are given at 0, 2 and 6 months

• 3 doses of Cervarix are given at 0, 1 and 6 months.

Side Effects

Hematoma, allergic reactions, fever, headache and gastroenteritis. Avoid the

vaccine in pregnancy.