Adolescent Immunization Action Week is April 7th-11th, 2025
Published on April 02, 2025
PRETEENS AND TEENS NEED VACCINES TOO
Adolescent Immunization Action Week is April 7 – 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contact: Carla Hass
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| April 2, 2025 |
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(530) 621-4609 |
(PLACERVILLE, CA) –
To help raise awareness that preteens and teens need vaccines to keep safe from disease, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division is joining with the California Department of Public Health in recognizing April 7-11 as Adolescent Immunization Action Week. The Public Health Division encourages parents and guardians to schedule a visit with their healthcare provider to ensure their adolescents are up to date on their vaccinations.
“Protection against whooping cough (pertussis) provided through childhood vaccination may begin to wear off during adolescence,” said El Dorado County Interim Health Officer, Dr. Melody Law. “There have been case reports of whooping cough that caused violent coughing so severe that it led to broken ribs. Whooping cough is very contagious and can be deadly, especially to babies.”
Cases of whooping cough have been on the rise in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. More than 2,000 cases of whooping cough were reported statewide between January and October 2024. Sixty-two of those cases were infants less than four months of age who were hospitalized, including one infant who tragically died. During the same time range in 2023, there were less than 400 whooping cough cases reported in the state.
In El Dorado County, two cases of whooping cough were reported in 2023, and five case in 2024. Since the beginning of 2025, a total of five cases of whooping cough have already been reported for El Dorado County.
The Tdap vaccine is given at age 11 or 12 years to boost protection against whooping cough (as well as protect against tetanus and diphtheria). Incoming 7th grade students must provide proof of having received the Tdap shot before starting school.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended starting at age 9 years to prevent certain cancers later in life. Dr. Law, says, “It’s incredible that we have a vaccine that prevents cancer. The vaccine has been available in the U.S. for nearly 20 years now, so we know that it works very well and that it’s safe. We’re already seeing large decreases in HPV infections and precancers thanks to the HPV vaccine.”
The Meningococcal vaccine protects against meningitis. Meningitis can lead to amputations, deafness, or death. To be protected from some types of meningitis, the Meningococcal vaccine is given at age 11 or 12 years and again at age 16 years of age.
As part of Adolescent Immunization Action Week, the El Dorado County Public Health Division is hosting free walk-in immunization clinics to eligible clients, including people who are:
- Uninsured (no health insurance)
- Medi-Cal-enrolled/or eligible
- American Indian/Alaska Native children.
The clinics will offer HPV, Meningococcal, and Tdap vaccines. Please bring the child’s immunization record to the appointment.
Clinic Information:
Placerville
Monday & Wednesday April 7 & April 9
931 Spring St. Placerville, Ca 95667
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
For more information about adolescent vaccinations, please visit: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/PublicHealth/immunizations or contact the El Dorado County Public Health Division at (530) 621-6100 on the West Slope of the County or (530) 573-3155 in the South Lake Tahoe area.
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