Vaccines for Children, Adolescents and Adults: HPV, Flu, Rotavirus, Meningococcal, Tdap, Pneumococcal and Shingles Vaccines

Created: 30.10.2024 · Last Updated: 11.08.2026 · Category: Paediatrics · Prepared by the Academic Hospital Web and Editorial Board.

Vaccination is not limited to childhood. Different vaccines may be required from infancy through older adulthood depending on age, previous vaccination history, pregnancy, chronic medical conditions, immune status, occupation and travel.

Vaccination schedules are set by national public-health authorities and can differ between countries. Recommendations from the World Health Organization, CDC or another country should therefore not automatically be interpreted as the national vaccination schedule in Türkiye.

Vaccine schedules change over time. The appropriate vaccine, number of doses and interval between doses may depend on age, the specific vaccine product, previous vaccination, medical risk factors and the national immunisation programme.

How Are Vaccination Schedules Determined?

Türkiye's National Childhood Vaccination Schedule was updated in 2025. Routine childhood immunisation currently protects against 13 diseases including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and pneumococcal disease.

From 14 April 2025, the previous five-component combination vaccine was replaced by a six-component vaccine that also incorporates hepatitis B protection.

Vaccines such as HPV, rotavirus and meningococcal vaccines may require additional individual assessment because their place in vaccination programmes differs between countries and may depend on age and risk factors.

HPV Vaccine

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent new infections with HPV types responsible for several HPV-associated diseases and cancers.

HPV is associated with:

  • Cervical cancer
  • Anal cancer
  • Penile cancer
  • Some vulval and vaginal cancers
  • Some HPV-associated head and neck cancers

At What Age Is HPV Vaccination Recommended?

HPV vaccination provides the greatest benefit when given before exposure to HPV, which is why vaccination is generally targeted at pre-adolescents and adolescents.

CDC currently:

  • Recommends routine vaccination at age 11–12 years
  • Allows vaccination to begin from age 9
  • Recommends catch-up vaccination through age 26 for people who were not adequately vaccinated earlier
  • Uses shared clinical decision-making for some adults aged 27–45 years

In many international programmes, immunocompetent people who begin the series before their 15th birthday receive two doses. People starting later or those who are immunocompromised may require a different schedule.

HPV vaccination does not treat an existing HPV infection. It is designed to prevent new vaccine-type HPV infections. Vaccinated women should still participate in age-appropriate cervical cancer screening programmes.

Influenza Vaccine

Influenza can cause severe respiratory illness and complications including pneumonia, hospitalisation and death, particularly in people at increased risk.

Because circulating influenza viruses change over time, seasonal influenza vaccines are updated regularly.

CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older who does not have a contraindication.

Vaccination is particularly important for:

  • Young children
  • Older adults
  • Pregnant people
  • People with chronic heart or lung disease
  • People with diabetes
  • Immunocompromised people

Some children aged 6 months to 8 years may require two doses during a season depending on their previous influenza vaccination history.

Medical recommendations and reimbursement rules are different issues. Eligibility for publicly funded influenza vaccination may vary according to current national regulations even when vaccination is medically appropriate.

Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, particularly in infants and young children.

The rotavirus vaccine is administered orally rather than by injection.

Depending on the product, the vaccine series consists of two or three doses.

Under the current CDC schedule:

  • The first dose must be started before 15 weeks of age.
  • The final dose must be completed before 8 months of age.

These age limits mean that rotavirus vaccination cannot simply be started later in childhood as a routine catch-up series.

Timing is particularly important for rotavirus vaccination. Parents considering rotavirus vaccination should discuss it early in infancy because there are maximum ages for starting and completing the vaccine series.

Meningococcal Vaccines: MenACWY and MenB

Neisseria meningitidis can cause rapidly progressive meningitis and meningococcal bloodstream infection.

Different meningococcal serogroups circulate, so MenACWY and MenB vaccines are not the same vaccine.

MenACWY Vaccine

MenACWY vaccines provide protection against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y.

National schedules vary. For example, the current CDC adolescent programme recommends:

  • One MenACWY dose at 11–12 years
  • A booster at age 16

Different schedules may be required for people with asplenia, complement deficiency, treatment with certain complement-inhibiting medicines, outbreak exposure or travel to areas where meningococcal disease is a particular risk.

MenB Vaccine

MenB vaccines provide protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease.

They are particularly important for people at increased risk. Under the CDC programme, healthy adolescents and young adults aged 16–23 years may also receive MenB vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making, with 16–18 years being the preferred age range.

There is no single universal age schedule for all meningococcal vaccines. MenACWY and MenB protect against different serogroups, and the minimum age, number of doses and intervals vary according to the vaccine product and clinical indication.

What Is the Tdap Vaccine?

Tdap protects against tetanus, reduced-dose diphtheria and pertussis.

It is particularly important for maintaining protection against pertussis, or whooping cough.

International schedules may use Tdap:

  • As an adolescent booster
  • For adults who have never received Tdap
  • During each pregnancy to help protect newborn babies from pertussis

CDC recommends one Tdap dose during weeks 27–36 of every pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this period.

Adults who have never received Tdap may receive one Tdap dose, followed by Td or Tdap boosters according to the appropriate schedule.

Tdap should not automatically be substituted for a national Td dose without checking the current immunisation schedule. The appropriate vaccine depends on national guidance, previous doses, pregnancy and individual circumstances.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, meningitis, bacteraemia and other invasive infections.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination is included in Türkiye's routine childhood immunisation programme.

Adult pneumococcal vaccination depends on factors including:

  • Age
  • Previous pneumococcal vaccines
  • Chronic heart or lung disease
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Immune status
  • Asplenia
  • Kidney and other chronic medical conditions

For example, current CDC guidance recommends pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for all adults aged 50 years and older who have not previously received an appropriate pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose vaccination history is unknown.

Risk-based vaccination is also recommended for some adults aged 19–49 years.

The exact product and schedule should be based on national guidance and the individual's previous vaccination history.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles, or herpes zoster, develops when varicella-zoster virus that remains dormant after chickenpox becomes reactivated.

Shingles may cause:

  • A painful blistering rash
  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Eye or neurological complications in some people

CDC currently recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine for:

  • Adults aged 50 years and older
  • Adults aged 19 years and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or treatment

The second dose is generally administered 2–6 months after the first dose. A shorter interval can be considered in selected immunocompromised patients.

Having had shingles previously does not necessarily remove the need for vaccination. Shingles can recur, and eligible adults can still be assessed for vaccination.

Who Should Seek Medical Advice Before Vaccination?

Vaccines are generally safe and effective preventive interventions, but individual circumstances should be reviewed before vaccination.

Tell your healthcare professional if you:

  • Have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or vaccine component
  • Are pregnant or planning pregnancy
  • Have an immune system disorder
  • Use immunosuppressive treatment
  • Have undergone organ or stem-cell transplantation
  • Are receiving chemotherapy or certain biological therapies
  • Have no spleen or impaired splenic function
  • Do not have complete vaccination records
  • Are planning international travel

Live vaccines in particular require additional consideration during pregnancy and in people who are significantly immunocompromised.

Review Your Vaccination History

Existing vaccination records can be reviewed to identify missing doses, age-appropriate vaccines and additional immunisations required because of individual medical risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age is the HPV vaccine given?
HPV vaccination provides the greatest benefit when given before exposure to HPV. International programmes generally target the pre-adolescent period. CDC allows vaccination to begin at age 9, routinely recommends it at age 11–12 and recommends catch-up vaccination through age 26. For adults aged 27–45 years, vaccination may be considered following individual clinical discussion.
Should the flu vaccine be given every year?
Seasonal influenza vaccination is repeated because circulating influenza viruses change and protection can decrease over time. CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older who does not have a contraindication.
What is the latest age for rotavirus vaccination?
Age limits are important for rotavirus vaccination. Under the CDC schedule, the first dose must be started before 15 weeks of age and the two- or three-dose series, depending on the vaccine product, must be completed before 8 months of age.
Are MenACWY and MenB the same meningococcal vaccine?
No. MenACWY vaccines protect against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y, while MenB vaccines target serogroup B. The appropriate vaccine, number of doses and timing depend on age, risk factors and the specific vaccine product.
Is Tdap recommended during pregnancy?
Yes. CDC recommends Tdap during weeks 27–36 of every pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this period, to help protect the baby from pertussis during the first months of life.
Is pneumococcal vaccination only for children?
No. Pneumococcal vaccines are routinely used in childhood and may also be recommended for adults according to age, chronic medical conditions, immune status and previous pneumococcal vaccination. The adult schedule depends on the vaccine product and current recommendations.
Who should receive the shingles vaccine?
CDC recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine for adults aged 50 years and older. Two doses are also recommended for adults aged 19 years and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy.
Academic Hospital note: Vaccine recommendations depend on age, previous vaccinations, pregnancy, chronic medical conditions and immune status. Rather than applying a schedule found online directly, it is safer to review your vaccination records with a healthcare professional. You can book an appointment.

References

  1. Academic Hospital. Türkiye'de Çocuk ve Ergenlere Yönelik Aşılama Programı ve Özel Aşılar
  2. Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. National Childhood Immunisation Schedule
  3. World Health Organization. Human Papillomavirus Vaccines
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV Vaccine Recommendations
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who Needs a Flu Vaccine
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus Vaccine Recommendations
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Vaccination
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis and Tdap Vaccination Recommendations
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles Vaccine Recommendations