Resources for Parents of Teens and Pre-teens
American Cancer Society News Update — Sept/Oct 2020
The American Cancer Society recently updated its guidelines for HPV vaccination. The primary message remains that HPV vaccination is cancer prevention but, instead of recommending vaccination at 11 or 12, or as early as 9, weve simplified that language to recommend HPV vaccination between ages 9 and 12.
A summary of ACS update:
- Girls and boys should get 2 doses of the HPV vaccine at ages 9 to 12 years.
- Children and young adults up to age 26 years who have not received the HPV vaccine should get vaccinated. Vaccination of young adults will not prevent as many cancers as vaccination of children and teens.
- The ACS does not recommend HPV vaccination for persons older than 26 years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), other medical societies, and CDC recommend teens and pre-teens receive certain vaccinations. Preteens and teens typically see their doctors or other medical professionals for physicals before participation in sports, camping events, travel, and applying to college. Any of these are a great opportunity to ask about which vaccines they may need.