Why Senior‑Year Vaccines Matter
Graduation parties, college dorms, first jobs—late‑teen milestones pack crowds and travel. Vaccines given between 16 and 18 years reinforce earlier doses and add meningococcal B protection just as communal living risks spike. Texas follows the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) but adds deadlines for school enrollment (Texas DSHS immunization chart). Staying on schedule avoids last‑minute hold‑ups at prom or orientation.
Texas Teen Vaccine Schedule (16–18 Years)
| Vaccine | Age | Required for Texas schools? | Interval Since Last Dose |
| Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) | 16 yrs | Yes (college entry) | ≥ 8 weeks after first dose |
| Meningococcal B (MenB) | 16–18 yrs | Recommended | 0 + 1 mo (Bexsero) or 0 + 6 mo (Trumenba) |
| Tdap Booster | 10‐year mark (often 16–17 yrs) | Yes (grades 7‑12) | ≥ 5 yrs after last DTaP/Tdap |
| Influenza | Every fall | Strongly advised | Annual |
| HPV Catch‑up | Until 26 yrs | Recommended | Finish 3‑dose series if started late |
| COVID‑19 | Per CDC updates | University housing | Booster 8–12 mo after last dose |
Save the Texas Vaccination Record (Form EF15‑1291) PDF on your phone—most colleges accept the upload portal instead of mail.
Meningitis: Two Vaccines, Two Threats
MenACWY (A, C, W, Y Strains)
- First dose at 11–12 yrs
- Booster at 16 yrs maintains immunity through early college
- Texas law demands proof within five years of dorm move‑in
MenB (B Strain)
- Causes 60 % of U.S. college‑age meningitis cases
- Not school‑required yet, but many campuses urge or mandate
- Discuss brand choice—Bexsero (two doses one month apart) vs Trumenba (two doses six months apart)
A 2024 New England Journal of Medicine study found MenB vaccination cut dorm‑related outbreaks by 75 percent.¹
Tdap: Why Another Booster?
The childhood DTaP series fades over a decade. Teen booster protects against:
- Tetanus – bacteria in soil; one rusty‑nail cut can be fatal
- Diphtheria – rare but deadly airway film
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – resurging cough that hospitalizes infants; teens transmit to baby siblings
Check the last Tdap date; athletes need it current for UIL medical forms (internal link: Sports Physical Checklist).
Annual Flu Shot Still Counts
Influenza strains mutate yearly. A senior‑year shot reduces exam‑week absences and protects immunocompromised grandparents at graduation dinners. Opt for the quadrivalent version covering two A and two B strains. Pharmacies offer walk‑ins, but pairing flu with MenB at our clinic saves an extra arm poke.
HPV: Finishing a Late Start
If your teen missed the early two‑dose schedule (ages 9–14), they need three doses: 0, 1–2, and 6 months. The series lowers cervical, throat, and anal cancer risk by 90 percent, per the National Cancer Institute. No shame in a catch‑up—colleges applaud proactive health forms.
COVID‑19 Booster Updates
Colleges often require a booster within 12 months of campus arrival. The latest CDC guidance—updated June 2025—recommends an mRNA XBB‑targeted booster for ages 12+ if the last dose predates December 2024. Print the vaccine card or use the SMART Health Card QR code on your phone.
Common Myths—Debunked
Myth 1: “My teen got meningitis A shot at 12; that’s enough.”
Immunity wanes after five years; booster closes the dorm window gap.
Myth 2: “Tdap causes fever, so skip during exam week.”
Most teens only feel a sore arm; schedule after‑school and use ice if needed.
Myth 3: “Healthy athletes don’t need flu vaccine.”
Data from UIL winter sports 2023 showed vaccinated teens missed 50 percent fewer practice days due to illness.²
Pre‑Visit Countdown: 48 Hours to Needles
| Time | Task |
| 2 days out | Verify insurance covers chosen MenB brand |
| 1 day out | Hydrate—2 extra cups water for smoother blood flow |
| Morning of | Eat protein snack; low blood sugar worsens dizziness |
| Bring | Shot record, varsity practice schedule (helps plan soreness gaps) |
| Post‑shot | Stretch deltoid hourly; use OTC acetaminophen for aches |
Side‑Effects & Safety Signals
| Vaccine | Common (24–48 hrs) | Rare (seek care) |
| MenACWY | Sore arm, mild fever | Hives, breathing trouble |
| MenB | Fatigue, headache | High fever > 104 °F |
| Tdap | Arm swelling, redness | Continuous cough or wheeze |
| Flu | Muscle ache | Guillain‑Barré symptoms (extremely rare) |
All vaccines undergo VAERS monitoring; report unexpected reactions at https://vaers.hhs.gov/.
College Forms & Deadlines
| Institution Type | Vaccine Proof Needed | Deadline |
| Texas public universities | MenACWY within 5 yrs | Before class registration |
| Private colleges | MenACWY ± MenB | Varies—30–60 days pre‑move‑in |
| Trade schools | Tdap, Flu suggested | Orientation day |
Upload PDFs early; registrar offices get flooded mid‑August.
External Resources for Deeper Reading
- CDC Adolescent Immunization Schedule – interactive chart by age and risk.
- Immunization Action Coalition College Toolkit – checklists for students and parents.
Both open in new tabs so you can keep this checklist handy.
One Appointment, All Boosters
Combining MenACWY, MenB, and flu in one visit is CDC‑approved and saves calendar space for senior trips and scholarship essays. Hydrate, bring records, and roll up that sleeve—graduation stage, here we come.
Ready to Check Off Every Box?
Book booster visit online—our clinic stocks all senior‑year vaccines and submits forms directly to schools.
