Teen Vaccines

WHAT VACCINES DO

Vaccines help your body prepare to fight dangerous diseases. They introduce a small, harmless part of a disease so your body can learn to protect itself without you getting sick. This way, if you encounter the disease later, your body knows how to fight it.

WHY VACCINES ARE IMPORTANT

Following the recommended vaccine schedule helps protect you from 16 diseases.

COST AND ACCESS

In Washington, vaccines are available at no cost for residents up to 19 years old. You might still need to pay for the office visit or administration fee, but most insurance plans cover these costs. Some clinics offer reduced fees for those without insurance.

Ensuring vaccine safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves and monitors all vaccines to ensure they are safe and effective. They inspect vaccine production sites and continue to track vaccine safety after approval. The CDC also monitors vaccines to ensure they are safe. There are several systems that monitor vaccine safety, and any issues are promptly reported to health officials. The Snohomish County Health Department’s Childhood Vaccine Program also works to make sure local providers are safely storing and handling vaccines.

additional vaccines

Are you or your child off to college or planning to live in the dorms? In addition to school-required vaccines, there are other recommended ones such as:

  • Meningococcal Vaccines: Protect against rare but serious bacterial infections.
  • HPV Vaccine: Prevents cancers caused by the HPV virus
  • Tdap Vaccine: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
  • Flu Vaccine: Protects against the flu, which can be severe.

Did you or your child recently turn 21? Check with your provider to make sure you’ve received your adult dose of the Tdap vaccine.

CHECK YOUR VACCINE STATUS

Find out what vaccines you have by checking with your healthcare provider or visit the Snohomish County Health Department’s Immunizations page to get a copy of your immunization records. 

Families can create an account through Washington State’s MyIR portal to access vaccine records.