2. What preteens can do to stay healthy [YOUR NAME AND HERE]

3. Visit a Doctor Why do I need to visit a doctor?

4. 11-and 12-year-olds need to visit a doctor because….  Your body is changing, and this is your opportunity to ask doctors all sorts of questions  Learn about eating right, staying active and ways to protect your body, like getting shots (vaccines)

5. What are vaccines?  Vaccines are a type of medicine that help you build protection (immunity) against some diseases  Before vaccines, many people would get diseases that we rarely see today (e.g. measles and polio) and sometimes even die

6. How do vaccines work?  The body makes “antibodies” to fight these “invaders”  A weakened or dead form of the disease germ is injected into the body (but does NOT make you sick)  If the actual disease germs ever attack, the “antibodies” are still there to destroy them! NO! NOT AGAIN!

7. Why do I need to get vaccinated?  There are shots that are especially recommended for 11-and 12-year-olds  If everyone is protected, the germs that cause disease can’t spread from person to person. This is called “herd immunity”  Getting shots protects you, your family, and friends

8. Ouch! Don’t shots hurt?  Not as much as getting the disease!  Things to do to relax during your shots: Have someone keep you company Have someone keep you company Take a slow deep breath Take a slow deep breath Focus on something fun Focus on something fun Listen to music Listen to music Imagine doing your favorite activity Imagine doing your favorite activity

9. What are some diseases that vaccines protect against?

10. Chickenpox  Chickenpox is also called varicella  Anyone can get it!  But, it can be very dangerous for preteens, teens and adults True or False: You can get chickenpox from a chicken

11. Human papillomavirus (HPV)  This vaccine is NOT only for girls! Boys can get it too  Anyone between 9 and 26 years of age can get the vaccine, but it is especially important for 11-and 12-year olds  This vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer in girls (a cancer in the reproductive system) and other cancers in men and women later on in life  It’s very important to get this vaccine, because HPV is a very common disease

12. Meningococcal  Anyone can catch this disease!  This disease can be spread by sharing saliva (e.g. sharing drinks or kissing). It can also be spread through the air when people sneeze or cough  Some people who catch this disease lose their limbs—arms, fingers and legs may be amputated (cut off). Others become deaf, have brain damage, and some even die

13. Whooping Cough  Whooping cough is a disease that can make you cough so hard it breaks your ribs! You can be sick for weeks or even months!  In 2010 the whooping cough epidemic got thousands sick and babies died in CA

14.  Did you know?!? For the 2011-2012 school year, all 7 th -12 th graders will need proof of a whooping cough shot before starting school  For future school years only 7 th graders will need the shot for school  Ask your parents to visit shotsforschool.org to learn more

15. Tetanus  ‘Tdap’ is a shot that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (AKA pertussis)  Tetanus is caused by a bacteria that can enter your body through a small cut in the skin. It cannot be spread from person to person

16. Flu  Did you know that the regular flu kills around 36,000 people every year, making it one of the top 10 killers in the U.S.?!?  Everyone over 6 months of age (this includes YOU!) should get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, their family and friends against flu

17. To help stop the spread of flu you can also….

18. Where can I get these shots?  Visit your doctor  Tell your parents that you may be able to get FREE shots through the Vaccines for Children Program  If you don’t have health insurance, visit your local health department at [ more info here] or call them at [ enter phone # here]

19.  See your doctor for a ‘well’ visit at least once per year  Get any recommended shots  Take information home  Participate in Preteen Vaccine Week by [ more info here] Spread the word, not the germs!

20. Thank you for your time!