A nurse in a clinic is collecting data from an adolescent who has received all recommended immunizations through the age of 6 years. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer?

A nurse in a clinic is collecting data from an adolescent who has received all recommended immunizations through the age of 6 years. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer?

• A. MMR
• B. DTaP
• C. Varicella
• D. Tdap

Answer: (D)

Adolescents need a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster around 11–12 years old. The DTaP series is given through age 6, and after that the appropriate routine booster is Tdap, which provides continued protection with a formulation suitable for older children and teens. This helps maintain immunity as protection from the childhood DTaP wanes, particularly against pertussis, which is important to prevent spread to others and to protect the teen. MMR and Varicella vaccines are typically completed by age 6 and are not routinely given again at this stage unless catch-up is needed. Therefore, administering the Tdap booster is the correct next immunization.

Adolescents need a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster around 11–12 years old. The DTaP series is given through age 6, and after that the appropriate routine booster is Tdap, which provides continued protection with a formulation suitable for older children and teens. This helps maintain immunity as protection from the childhood DTaP wanes, particularly against pertussis, which is important to prevent spread to others and to protect the teen. MMR and Varicella vaccines are typically completed by age 6 and are not routinely given again at this stage unless catch-up is needed. Therefore, administering the Tdap booster is the correct next immunization.