iStock_000028095058_XXXLargesmLast week CDC released 2015 vaccination coverage data for teens collected through the National Immunization Surveys (NIS). These surveys are sponsored annually through the CDC, and for teens, they attempt to estimate the level of coverage for three important adolescent vaccines: Tdap, Meningococcal, and HPV vaccine.

There is good news for Arizona in this year’s report. Our Tdap coverage rates continue to rise, meaning our adolescents continue to be protected against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). According to NIS data, about 87 percent of Arizona teens were protected with Tdap vaccine in 2015.

We’re also excited that Arizona teens continue to be protected against meningitis, which can cause severe and life-threatening complications.

The survey shows about 88 percent of Arizona teens were protected with meningococcal vaccine in 2015 , which is higher than the national average of 81 percent. Arizona teens are also now more routinely getting the HPV vaccine, which can protect against some kinds of cancer. While HPV coverage isn’t as high as school-required vaccines like Tdap and meningococcal, Arizona rates are still increasing each year, with 68 percent of teen girls and 51 percent of teen boys in Arizona covered with at least one dose in 2015.

The NIS data are just one source of information about teen immunization coverage in Arizona, and they’re just an estimate based on a randomly selected sample of parents who were surveyed. ADHS also maintains more complete data about Tdap and meningococcal vaccine coverage for sixth grade students on our website, which shows coverage for these vaccines at nearly 90 percent in the 2015-2016 school year. For more information on teen vaccination, check out CDC’s website for parents.