As described in Chapter 2, infectious diseases (such as TB and respiratory infections) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in LMICs. Interventions to improve case detection and management of high-burden diseases in this age group are crucially needed. In some cases, for example, water and sanitation interventions to prevent diarrhoeal disease can be easily expanded along the lines of those for younger children. In other cases, such as for vaccinations, further attention may be needed to ensure that the unique needs and vulnerabilities of adolescents are addressed.

Routine immunization is an important public health strategy to address a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. The benefits of vaccination go beyond early childhood, continuing through adolescence. In addition to the HPV vaccine, which is the vaccine most commonly associated with adolescents, other vaccines administered for adolescents include tetanus–diphtheria, seasonal influenza, cholera, dengue, rabies, typhoid, COVID-19 (see Box below) and meningitis. Promising vaccines are in the pipeline against respiratory syncytial virus, malaria, TB and all influenza virus strains.

 

A vaccinator from Mashuuru, administers oral cholera vaccine (OCV) to a student in Guadalupe Oltepesi Primary School during the OCV campaign in Kajiado on 4 August 2023.
WHO / Billy Miaron
Faith, a vaccinator from Mashuuru, administers oral cholera vaccine (OCV) to a student in Guadalupe Oltepesi Primary School during the OCV campaign in Kajiado on 4 August 2023.
© Credits

Working together across the UN to promote scientifically credible advice on adolescents and COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO worked closely with UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and other UN agencies to make the scientific advice, data and research on adolescent- and school-specific considerations during the pandemic readily available to policy-makers, adolescents and their families.

A resource bank was created to give health and education policy-makers, educational staff, parents and students easy access to guidance on:

  • public health and social measures
  • masks
  • ventilation
  • vaccinations
  • case investigation in schools
  • school readiness
  • maintaining continuity of learning during school closures
  • maintaining essential health promotion and care services
  • situation updates
  • resources for students
  • resources for parents
  • health promotion in schools.

Questions and answers for adolescents on issues related to the risk of acquiring the infection, protective measures, the continuity of sport and other leisure activities and access to services were developed and kept up-to-date to help promote scientifically reliable advice to adolescents and their families.

For more information