CHATHAM COUNTY -- The Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an annual observance aimed to help raise awareness and encourage preteens to make smart, healthy choices including defending themselves against vaccine-preventable diseases.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends these immunizations for preteens 11 to 12 years old:

· Human papillomavirus (HPV) (2-shot series) to protect boys and girls from HPV-related cancers and infections.

· Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against some of the bacteria that can cause meningococcal disease, including sepsis and meningitis.

· Tdap vaccine is recommended for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Everyone 11-12 years of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year and preteens may also need to catch up on other immunizations, including chickenpox (many do not have their second dose), MMR (measles mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, and COVID-19.

For more information on immunization schedules, visit atcoastalhealthdistrict.org/immunizations.