The main shot you get at 16 is a meningococcal booster (MenACWY), which is the only vaccine specifically scheduled for that age. You may also be due for an annual flu shot, a COVID-19 vaccine, and catch-up doses of any vaccines you missed earlier in adolescence.
The Meningococcal Booster: The Big One at 16
The CDC recommends that all preteens get their first meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine at age 11 or 12. Because protection from that first dose decreases over time, a booster is scheduled at 16 to restore immunity right when teens need it most. Rates of meningococcal disease peak during the late teen years, partly because bacteria spread easily in close-living situations like dorms, sports teams, and social gatherings.
If you got your first dose before turning 16, you need the booster. If you happened to receive your first MenACWY dose at 16 or later, you don’t need a second one.
This booster also matters for college. Most universities require proof of a recent meningococcal vaccination before students can move into residence halls, and a dose given at 16 satisfies that requirement.
Side Effects of the Meningococcal Booster
Side effects are typically mild and clear up within a few days. The most common ones include soreness and swelling at the injection site, headache, nausea, and low-grade fever or chills. Some teens also experience joint pain or fatigue. Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Meningococcal B: Optional but Worth Discussing
There’s a separate vaccine that covers a different strain of meningitis called serogroup B. Unlike the MenACWY booster, this one isn’t automatically recommended for every 16-year-old. Instead, the CDC classifies it as a “shared clinical decision-making” vaccine for teens and young adults ages 16 through 23. That means it’s available if you and your doctor decide the added protection is worthwhile, but it’s not a routine requirement.
Serogroup B causes a smaller share of meningitis cases overall, but it can be severe. Teens heading to college or living in group settings sometimes choose to get it for extra peace of mind. It’s given as a two- or three-dose series depending on the brand.
Annual Flu Shot
The flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone six months and older, so 16-year-olds are included. It’s not unique to this age, but your doctor’s office may offer it at the same visit as the meningococcal booster if the timing lines up with flu season (typically fall). Teens can get either the injectable version or the nasal spray, which is approved for people ages 2 through 49.
COVID-19 Vaccine
An updated COVID-19 vaccine is also on the CDC’s immunization schedule for 16-year-olds. The specific recommendation depends on which doses you’ve already received and how recently, so the details vary from person to person.
Catch-Up Vaccines You Might Still Need
Age 16 is also a common time for doctors to check whether you’re caught up on vaccines that were originally scheduled for earlier in adolescence. The two most common catch-up shots at this age are:
- HPV vaccine: This is routinely given at 11 or 12, but if you haven’t started or completed the series, your doctor will likely bring it up. Teens who start the series before age 15 need two doses. Those who start at 15 or older need three.
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): A single dose is given around age 11 or 12. If you missed it, you’d get it now. A tetanus booster isn’t due again until 10 years after that dose, so most 16-year-olds don’t need another one.
What to Expect at the Appointment
For most 16-year-olds who are up to date on their earlier vaccines, the visit is quick. You’ll get one shot in the arm for the meningococcal booster, possibly a flu shot in the other arm if it’s the right time of year, and that’s it. The whole process takes a few minutes, and you can go about your day normally afterward. If your arm is sore, an ice pack and some gentle movement usually help.
Your doctor’s office or school may provide a record of the visit. Hold onto it. You’ll likely need proof of your meningococcal booster when you apply for college housing, and some employers and travel destinations require vaccination records too.