As your child grows, it's crucial to ensure they're up to date on important immunizations. As you prepare your child for their teenage years, don’t forget the vital step of safeguarding their health with vaccines. Vaccines protect them against serious diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends three vaccines for your child during their preteen years:

• Meningococcal between ages 11-13 
• Tdap between ages 10-13
• HPV two doses between ages 9 and 13

Get the Facts about Vaccines

Each of the three recommended vaccines for preteens protects against serious, long-term health problems:

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus): Protect your child from cancers caused by the HPV virus. This vaccine is a two-dose series given 6 to12 months apart, and children can start as early as age nine. Completing the series by age 12 is crucial to ensure full protection. It's recommended for both boys and girls.
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis): This one-dose vaccine helps protect your child from Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (also called whooping cough), diseases that can cause severe complications, like pneumonia and heart issues.
• Meningococcal Serogroup A, C, W, Y vaccination: This two-dose vaccine prevents meningococcal disease, which can lead to deafness, stroke or even death. Protect your child from a disease that can strike suddenly and severely.

Buckeye Makes it Easy to Get Your Preteen Vaccinated

We understand that life can get busy and that there are challenges to making healthcare appointments. But, Buckeye can help.

• Concerned about cost? All vaccines recommended for your child are covered by Medicaid. There is no cost to you. Plus, members who get vaccinated at their annual well visit can earn [up to $75] in rewards to spend on the things you need — like groceries, rent, utilities and more.
• Worried about not having enough time? Ask your child’s doctor about flexible appointment times, including evening or weekend visits. Many schools and local health centers also offer convenient vaccine clinics.
• Have transportation issues? Need a ride? No problem. Call 1-866-531-0615 to arrange a free ride at least 48 hours before your vaccination appointment.
• Not sure where to go? Call your child’s doctor to schedule your child’s free vaccinations today! They can be given at the same time as their annual well visit. Need a doctor? Use our find a doctor tool.
• Worried about unnecessary doctor visits? Well visits aren’t just for sick children. They are key to keeping your child healthy as they grow and ensuring they stay protected from preventable diseases.

Still not sure about getting your child vaccinated? Understand the risk and benefits

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect your child from serious illness. They help immune systems learn how to defend itself against germs before getting sick. Diseases like whooping cough, HPV and meningitis can cause long-term harm or even death.

Vaccines are:

• Safe: They have been tested and used by doctors for a long time.
• Effective: They protect your child from life-threatening diseases like whooping cough, meningitis, and HPV.
• Helpful for everyone: Vaccines protect your family and others in your community from getting sick. When more people get vaccinated (reaching herd immunity), it is less likely that we all get sick.

And, easy to get: Vaccines are free to Medicaid members and Buckeye makes it easy to get to a vaccination appointment with free transportation benefits. Call 1-866-531-0615 at least 48 hours before your appointment to get a free ride. Need a doctor? Visit our Find a Doctor page.