NCLEX Practice Test 2026 - Free NCLEX Practice Questions and Study Guide

The meningococcal vaccine is required at ages 12 and again at 16 to protect against meningococcal disease, which can lead to serious infections such as meningitis and bloodstream infections. This vaccine schedule is designed to ensure optimal protection during the adolescent years when the risk of these infections increases. The first dose is typically administered around 11 to 12 years of age, with a booster recommended at 16 to provide continued immunity as adolescents enter young adulthood, where they are at a higher risk for meningococcal disease.

The other vaccines listed serve different purposes and schedules. The HPV vaccine is typically recommended for pre-teens and may be given in a series starting as early as 9 years of age, but it does not follow the same 12 and 16-year schedule. The tetanus vaccine is part of a routine childhood immunization series and is usually boosted every ten years after the initial vaccinations. The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox and is given in childhood, with no doses specifically required at ages 12 and 16. Thus, the meningococcal vaccine is the only one that fits the criteria stated in the question.