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Immunizations & Children
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Immunizations for Children
TRICARE knows immunizations are important for your child’s health and will provide all age-appropriate vaccines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices. Recommended vaccines are available at military treatment facilities as well as TRICARE network and non-network providers.
Children are particularly vulnerable to infection, and immunizations are important for their health and well-being. By staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines, you can protect your children from these diseases: chicken pox, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus Influenzae type B (a bacterial microorganism that causes several serious, often life-threatening illnesses), meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, influenza and hepatitis B. Immunizations also contribute to the well-being of everyone by reducing the chance for diseases to spread.
Your doctor can also suggest the best time for other recommended immunizations. Recommendations may vary for children in different age groups or for children with certain medical conditions who require additional immunizations.
The TRICARE benefit has a new recommendation that annual vaccinations should be administered to all children aged 5 to 18 years, beginning in the 2008-09 influenza season, if feasible, but no later than the 2009-10 influenza season.
CDC's Recommended Immunization Schedule 
Immunizations and Vaccines  Back to School
Once again, it’s time to get the kids ready for school. Will your child be ready?
You remembered the new clothes, shoes, lunch box and school supplies, but did you remember to schedule your child’s physical? In most cases, he or she won’t be able to start school without one.
If your child is between the ages of 5-11 and is TRICARE-eligible, call your primary care manager and schedule an appointment today! Your child’s annual school physical is covered by TRICARE; however, sports physicals are not. Be sure to take any required state or local forms with you to the appointment.
TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter - Issue 4:2007Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation, TRICARE recently made Gardisil® available to its beneficiaries. It is the vaccine that may help to prevent the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and ultimately cervical cancer. The three-dose vaccine (given over a period of six months) is for girls ages 11-12, and it can be safely given to those as young as 9 years old.
Currently, there is no federal law mandating that girls be vaccinated against HPV before beginning school; however, some states are considering making it a requirement for 11- and 12-year-old girls.
HPV Vaccine Questions and Answers |
