Vaccines 101: How Do They Work?
School-Required Vaccines
Visit this page for a printable list of all the vaccines, and when they are required, for school-aged youth: https://stedhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Illinois-School-Health-Requirements-2019-2020.pdf
The list may seem long, but the vaccines are not required all at once. To learn more about the required vaccines and the infections they prevent, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Vaccine Safety Page: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/dtap-tdap-vaccine.html
Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine
Another vaccine that is not required, but highly recommended for adolescents, is the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine, or the HPV Vaccine. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends families consider the HPV vaccination for preteen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years. HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys before they begin sexual activity. In-School Health Clinics offer this vaccine, as well as other preventative services.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. Most people who are infected don’t even know they have HPV, but 85 to 95 percent of sexually active people will contract HPV. Most HPV strains cause little to no harm but without medical treatment, some of the high-risk strains can result in genital warts and/or cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine protects against the more prevalent cases of HPV, as well as genital warts and cervical cancer. Getting vaccinated required a series of three shots, each separated by a few months. All three shots are required to be fully protected against HPV.
For more information about the myths and facts of the HPV Vaccine, visit: http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/