Meningococcal & Pertussis Vaccines
This fall, for the first time, Arizona children 11 years and older entering 6th grade will be required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease and pertussis (whooping cough) prior to school entry.

The recommendation is for all persons aged 11-18 years to receive one dose of meningococcal vaccine at the earliest opportunity, and children 11-12 years to be vaccinated with the pertussis vaccine providing it has been at least five years since their last tetanus/diphtheria vaccine dose.

The meningococcal vaccine protects against infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children two to eighteen years of age, and it can cause serious blood infections. The disease is most common in infants less than one year old and people with certain medical conditions. College freshman are also at increased risk.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system that is making a big comeback especially among teens and pre-teens.

Zostavax Vaccine
Zostavax is a vaccine that reduces the risk of developing Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster. Shingles is a very painful rash that usually occurs on one side of the face or body and lasts seven to ten days. One in five people have severe pain that persists even after the rash clears up. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has chickenpox, the virus can live in an inactivated state for years. If it becomes active again, it causes Shingles. It is more common in people over sixty years of age and in patients who have a weakened immune system. Zostavax is recommended for people over the age of sixty.

Gardasil Vaccine
Gardasil is a vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are over forty types of HPV, and while most infections do not cause any symptoms and resolve on their own, some types cause cervical cancer. Gardasil does not protect against all types of HPV, but it protects against the four major types which cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. It is recommended for girls eleven and twelve years old and is approved for females ages nine to twenty-six.

These immunizations are available at Parkway Medical. Our providers would be happy to discuss them further with you.

For more information you can visit azdhs.gov