Vaccination programmes are established to protect children against many different diseases.
However, most people tend to think such programmes are only for babies and young children.
Teenagers are often overlooked, even though these programmes include vaccinations for this age group.
It is important for parents to understand why teenagers should get vaccinated, what vaccinations they should receive, and the importance of vaccinations.
Here are the main reasons why teenagers should get their required vaccinations:
Generally, infants and the elderly are known to be vulnerable to serious infections.
This does not mean that teenagers are completely safe.
Teenagers should get vaccinated to reduce their risk of developing serious infections.
Vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in protecting us against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).
Travelling to regions where certain VPDs are endemic can put teens at risk of infection.
Vaccinations can help reduce this risk.
Being infected with a disease puts others at risk of being infected too.
This is especially concerning if the infection passes on to someone vulnerable to developing serious disease.
Vaccinations not only help protect the individual, but also others around them.
Adhering to mandatory vaccinations over many years will eventually eradicate many of the VPDs of today.
Future generations may not need to worry about such diseases that we currently face.
Teenagers, especially those planning to live in dorms at boarding schools or colleges, are at a high risk of infection.
Infections can easily spread in crowded dorms or enclosed areas where students often meet to socialise.
Vaccinations can help reduce this risk.
Relevant vaccines
Below are the scheduled vaccines for Malaysian teenagers as listed in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP):
HPV vaccines help prevent the development of cancers caused by this virus, especially cancer of the cervix.
This vaccine is scheduled for girls aged 13 years old.
Two doses are given: the first dose at age 13, and the second dose six months following the first dose.
The ATT vaccine is a booster shot that helps to enhance immunity against tetanus.
In total, six vaccine doses are given against tetanus in the NIP.
Three primary doses are given at the ages of two, three and five months respectively (as part of the hexavalent vaccine).
Additionally, three booster doses are given at 18 months (hexavalent vaccine), and seven (dT vaccine) and 15 years old (ATT vaccine).
A new Tdap vaccine covering tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis), is also available for teens and adults.
In addition, the following vaccines are recommended for teens in Malaysia:
The MenACWY vaccine provides protection against four types of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W-135 and Y, which can cause meningococcal disease.
It is recommended to travellers going to countries where meningococcal disease is endemic (e.g. sub-Saharan Africa), and should be taken at least two weeks prior to departure.
The vaccine can be taken as early as six weeks of age.
For children older than 12 months, as well as for teens and adults, only one dose is required.
PCV provides protection against multiple strains of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumococcal disease.
As of December 2020, the pneumococcal vaccine has been included in the NIP and is scheduled for infants.
A single dose is also recommended for high-risk teens, adults above 65 years of age and adults with comorbidities (having two or more diseases at the same time).
The influenza vaccine provides protection against influenza viruses.
It is recommended that everyone above the age of six months gets vaccinated every year, especially those in high-risk groups, as the dominant strains of the virus change constantly and rapidly.
The Tdap vaccine is a booster dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine mandated for children in the NIP.
This single-dose vaccine is recommended for teenagers and adults 10 or more years after their last primary or booster dose.
Parents can opt to give their teens Tdap instead of ATT to provide protection against more diseases.
Increased risk
Obesity, heart disease risk factors and diabetes are on the rise in Malaysian teenagers.
This increases the chance of teens developing comorbidities.
Teenagers with comorbidities are at high risk of developing serious infections.
Vaccinations can help reduce these risks and aid in preventing the development of serious symptoms.
For example, teenagers with comorbidities are vulnerable to serious pneumococcal infections.
This increases the risk of developing serious symptoms like pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.
Taking the PCV helps reduce these risks.
Prevention is always better than cure.
Ensuring that your teenager receives the appropriate vaccinations at the right time is essential in protecting their long-term health.
Dr N. Thiyagar is a consultant paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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