Screening tests and vaccines are an important part of managing your child's health. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower your chance for the disease. Screening tests also help detect a disease early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are used to determine if more testing is needed. Below are guidelines for children and teens from ages 2 to 18. Talk with your child's healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on what he or she needs.
We understand gender is a spectrum. We may use gendered terms to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this sheet in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections
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Sexually active females, including those pregnant, ages 24 years and younger
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Once a year or as advised during pregnancy
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High lead level
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Children who are 6 years of age and younger
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Questions to determine risk or blood screening tests may be done once a year.
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HIV
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Children in this age group at risk for infection; talk with your child’s healthcare provider
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At routine exams
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Obesity
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Assessment of obesity risk in children 6 years of age and older
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At routine exams
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Oral health
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All children in this age group
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Oral health risk assessments every 6 months; fluoride supplements from age 6 months to 16 years for those with low fluoride levels in their water; fluoride varnish should be applied every 3 to 6 months; fluoride rinses may be used in children age 6 years or older, if they are able to rinse and spit
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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Children age 10 and older or who have reached puberty and are overweight or obese and have1 or more other risk factors for diabetes
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Every 3 years
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Blood pressure
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All children 3 years of age and older
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Annual well child visit
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Vision and hearing
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All children in this age group
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Hearing and vision testing at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10
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Vaccines
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Who needs it
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How often
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DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
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All children younger than age 7
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Booster between ages 4 and 6 years
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Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis)
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All children age 7 or older
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Booster between ages 11 and 12 years
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Chickenpox (varicella)
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Children who have not had chickenpox
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Booster between ages 4 and 6 years
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Hepatitis A
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Children at risk (talk with your child’s healthcare provider) or those who didn’t have the vaccine at an earlier age
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Should be fully vaccinated by age 2; if not, can have vaccine at routine visits, with second dose given at least 6 months after first dose
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Hepatitis B
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Children who didn’t have the vaccine at an earlier age
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3-dose series: The second dose is given 1 to 2 months after the first dose, and the final dose is given 6 months after the first dose
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Children age 11 or 12 years, but may be given beginning at age 9 years through age 26
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2-dose series: Ages 9 to 14 years, with second dose 6 to 12 months after the first
3-dose series: Ages 15 to 26, with the second dose given 1 to 2 months after the first dose, and the third dose given 6 months after the first dose
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Inactivated poliovirus
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All children
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A final dose between ages 4 and 6 years
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Influenza (flu)
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All children in this age group
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Once a year
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Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
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All children
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Second dose between ages 4 and 6 years
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Meningococcal (conjugate)
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All children
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1 dose between ages 11 and 12, and a booster at age 16, or by age 18 if not vaccinated before; only 1 dose is needed if the first dose is given at age 16 years or older; high-risk children should receive a vaccine series before age 2 years
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Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23)
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PCV13: Healthy children between ages 2 and 5 years if not previously vaccinated at a younger age
PCV13/PPSV23: High-risk children (PCV13 starting at age 5 years and PPSV23 starting at age 2 years)
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If both vaccines needed, PCV13 is given before PPSV23; timing and number of doses varies
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