Teenhood Vaccines: Seizing the opportunity

More immunizations are becoming available for this age group, but experts warn that getting them into the arms of adolescents may be harder than it looks.

Certain circumstances lead teenagers to their doctors. Maybe their acne is out of control. Their parents might be concerned about their moodiness or depression. Sometimes there’s a broken bone or a bad cold. And, of course, the pre-participation sports physical is also a draw.

In general, though, teens represent a healthy patient population. That’s why some health systems, have set up mechanisms to ensure that, when these youngsters do cross the doctor’s office threshold, the opportunity to provide preventive care does not slip away.

For example, every time a teen sees a physician at some clinics, his or her immunization record is automatically checked. If it’s not up to date, the teen is asked to get whatever vaccinations are missing.

We really have to immunize them whenever we see them or it’s probably not going to happen.

Such an example of the Herculean efforts experts say are integral to connecting adolescents with these important shots, especially as more for this age group are developed.

With a wave of new adolescent vaccines coming in the near future, physicians as well as parents must be prepared to maximize their benefits to this vulnerable population.