The early fall is the perfect time to check whether your pre-teen is up to date on vaccines. Three immunizations are recommended before a child’s 13th birthday.

To learn more about the role of vaccines in our overall health, WellTuned spoke with Dr. Sharon Moore-Caldwell, a medical director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

“Vaccines have made a significant impact on public health,” says Dr. Moore-Caldwell. “Because of that, vaccination is seen as one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.”

The 3 vaccines recommended for adolescents

Dr. Moore-Caldwell: The CDC recommends three vaccines for adolescents. Ideally, these are completed before age 13. Data from the Healthy Tennessee Report shows that about 30% of BlueCross members in this age group received these recommended immunizations.

Meningococcal vaccine: Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and blood infections. Even when treated, meningitis kills 10 to 15 of every 100 infected people. Of those who survive, 10 to 20 out of 100 may suffer hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, loss of limbs or nervous system damage.

Meningococcal disease is rare and has declined in the United States since the 1990s. However, it’s a severe disease with a significant risk of death or lasting disabilities in people who get it. Here is the recommended schedule for these vaccines. Discuss these with your child’s health care provider.

Tdap vaccine: Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can cause uncontrollable coughing that makes it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. In teens, it can cause weight loss, fainting and rib fractures from severe coughing. Adolescents should receive a single dose, preferably at age 11 or 12.

HPV vaccine: HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90% of HPV cancers. It’s recommended for both boys and girls. Starting these vaccinations between ages 9 and 12 increases the likelihood of completing the series before a first HPV exposure.

The HPV vaccine is given as a 2 or 3 dose series depending on the age of the first vaccine:

• Ages 9 to 14: 2-dose series
• Age 15 or older: 3-dose series

Starting the vaccine at the recommended age may make it more likely that children will complete the vaccine series on schedule. The vaccine provides protection against HPV and may help prevent HPV-related cancers later in life.

Talk with providers about vaccines

Dr. Moore-Caldwell: Each appointment with your child’s health care provider is an opportunity to discuss vaccines or to get vaccinated if they’re due. If the recommended vaccination schedule has been delayed or interrupted, each visit offers a chance to catch up.

Our communities are now more connected through everyday interactions. Exposure to illness and disease could be a car trip or a plane flight away. Because adolescents spend more time in crowded school environments, these settings can increase opportunities for exposure to certain diseases.

Delays in getting vaccines may increase the time your child is at risk of getting an illness. If vaccines are missed before teens turn 18, they may may remain at risk for certain preventable diseases into adulthood.

Common questions about vaccines include whether they are necessary, effective and safe and whether they can cause illness. If you have these concerns, discuss them with your child’s health care provider.

If you want to understand more about these vaccines and the evidence about them, have conversations with your child’s health care provider.

Vaccination resources are available

Dr. Moore-Caldwell: Sometimes, families aren’t close to a medical clinic, or they may have transportation challenges.

If your child or pre-teen has missed vaccines, a catch-up schedule is available. Talk with your health care provider about the right timing.

“Always talk with your child’s health care provider about your concerns,” Dr. Moore-Caldwell says. “Encourage your pre-teen to ask questions, too. Vaccines have saved lives for over 100 years — and they continue to do so.”

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can get help to schedule these appointments. Call the customer service number on the member ID card or visit BCBST.com.

More from Dr. Moore-Caldwell on WellTuned

Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.