At age 13, most teens are due for three key vaccines: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), HPV (human papillomavirus), and meningococcal ACWY. These are typically given at the 11- or 12-year-old checkup, so if your child received them on schedule, the 13-year visit may only involve catch-up doses or annual vaccines like the flu shot. If they haven’t had these yet, age 13 is the time to get current.
Tdap Booster
The Tdap shot is a booster that protects against three serious bacterial infections: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Your child received a version of this vaccine as a baby and toddler, but immunity fades over time. The adolescent Tdap booster, recommended at 11 or 12 years old, restores that protection during the teen years.
Pertussis is worth highlighting because it still circulates widely. In teens and adults, whooping cough causes intense, uncontrollable coughing fits that can last weeks, sometimes leading to rib fractures, passing out, or weight loss. The booster also keeps teens from spreading pertussis to infants, who face the highest risk of severe complications. If your 13-year-old hasn’t had the Tdap booster yet, it can be given at the next doctor visit.
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine prevents infections that cause several types of cancer later in life, including cervical, throat, and anal cancers. It’s recommended for all preteens starting at age 9 through 14. Because your child is 13, they still qualify for the simpler two-dose schedule: one shot now and a second shot 6 to 12 months later.
Waiting until age 15 or older means your teen will need three doses instead of two, spread over six months. Starting the series at 13 is still well within the ideal window, and the two-dose schedule produces a strong immune response at this age. The vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV, which is why it’s recommended well before most people become sexually active.
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis, a fast-moving infection of the brain and spinal cord lining that can become life-threatening within hours. The standard schedule calls for a first dose at 11 or 12 and a booster dose at 16. If your child missed the first dose, getting it at 13 is straightforward, and the booster at 16 remains important because protection fades and the risk of meningococcal disease peaks in the late teen years when many kids head to college or other group-living situations.
There’s also a separate meningococcal B vaccine, but it’s not routinely required at 13. The CDC recommends teens consider that vaccine at 16 through 18 years old. It’s only routinely recommended earlier for teens with specific immune system conditions.
Annual Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines
Beyond the milestone adolescent shots, 13-year-olds are recommended to get one flu shot each year, using whichever seasonal influenza vaccine is appropriate for their age and health. This is a yearly vaccine because flu strains shift from season to season.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended annually. For teens aged 12 to 17, that typically means one dose of the current season’s vaccine. If your teen has never been vaccinated for COVID-19, a single dose of the current formulation is the standard starting point, though specific spacing between doses varies slightly depending on which brand is used.
Catch-Up Shots Your Doctor May Flag
The 13-year-old visit is also when a pediatrician will review whether earlier childhood vaccines were completed. The ones most commonly flagged for catch-up are:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): Two doses should be completed by age 6. If the second dose was missed, it can be given now, with a minimum of 4 weeks between the two doses.
- Varicella (chickenpox): Also a two-dose series that should be done by age 6. For teens 13 and older catching up, the two doses need to be spaced at least 4 weeks apart.
- Hepatitis B: A three-dose series normally finished in infancy. If incomplete, the remaining doses can be given with specific minimum intervals: 4 weeks between dose one and two, and at least 8 weeks (and 16 weeks after the first dose) between dose two and three.
If your child’s vaccination records are up to date, none of these catch-up shots will be needed. Bringing the immunization record to the appointment helps your doctor quickly identify any gaps.
What Schools Typically Require
Many states require proof of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine and the Tdap booster for entry into 7th grade, which is when most kids are 12 or 13. If your child is starting 7th or 8th grade without these, the school may flag it. HPV vaccination is generally not mandated for school entry, though Rhode Island is a notable exception, requiring at least one dose of the HPV series for 7th graders. Requirements vary by state, so checking with your child’s school or your state health department will clarify exactly what’s needed.
Common Side Effects
The Tdap, HPV, and meningococcal shots all cause similar mild side effects: soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and occasionally a low-grade fever. These typically resolve within a day or two.
One side effect that’s more common in adolescents than other age groups is fainting. After the HPV, meningococcal, and Tdap vaccines became standard for teens, reporting systems noticed a clear uptick in fainting episodes around vaccination. It’s a straightforward vasovagal response, not an allergic reaction, and it’s harmless as long as the teen doesn’t fall and hit their head. Most clinics will ask your teen to sit or lie down during the shot and stay for about 15 minutes afterward as a precaution. If your teen tends to feel lightheaded around needles, mentioning that beforehand helps the staff prepare.