Tetanus vaccines are safe Most people who get a tetanus vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. However, side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild, meaning they do not affect daily activities. See the vaccine information statement for each vaccine to learn more about the most common side effects.
The most common side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are rare but can be life threatening. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness.
Adults need a tetanus shot (tetanus booster) every 10 years. A booster shot is another dose of a vaccine that you get months or years after a previous dose. Providers call it a booster shot because it “boosts” your immune system again and helps your body protect you from illness.
As with any injection, especially one given so frequently, there are risks that the vaccine might cause severe shoulder problems including bursitis, adhesive capsulitis, tendinitis and rotator cuff tear.
After the initial tetanus series, booster shots are recommended every 10 years.
It protects against the bacterial infection tetanus, also known as lockjaw. Tetanus causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death.
Tetanus is a very rare disease. In the U.S., the odds of getting tetanus are approximately 1.5 per million. Since 70% of those who develop the disease fully recover, only 1 per 5 million will die.
If you have an injury where you think tetanus could be a possibility and haven't had a booster shot within the past 5 years, you should get to the hospital within 24 hours. It's important to know that the size of the wound doesn't matter when it comes to tetanus.
Symptoms of tetanus may not begin to appear until a week after the injury, so as a rule of thumb, try to get the tetanus booster shot within 48 hours of the injury. If tetanus is left untreated, your body could face long-term complications such as airway obstruction, heart failure, muscle damage, and/or brain damage.
Diphtheria and tetanus
A complete vaccine series has a clinical efficacy of virtually 100% for tetanus and 97% for diphtheria.
You will need a tetanus vaccine as soon as possible if you have a dirty cut, wound, or burn and 5 or more years have passed since your last tetanus vaccine.
A tetanus shot may be required if you have not had one within 10 years; if you are not sure when you had your last tetanus shot, and you've been bitten, you should get one within 72 hours after your injury.
A booster shot should be given within 48 hours of an injury to people whose immunization is out of date.
Seek medical care in the following cases: You've not had a tetanus shot within 10 years. You are unsure of when you last had a tetanus shot. You have a puncture wound, a foreign object in your wound, an animal bite or a deep cut.
After the complete course of tetanus vaccinations, another booster is usually recommended for people at age 50 and again at age 65, if it has been more than 10 years since the last dose. If you are unsure whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date, see your doctor. It is never too late.
Tetanus booster shots are recommended every 10 years to prevent infections. As long as you've received one dose of Tdap, boosters can be either a Tdap or Td shot. There's a catch-up schedule for adults who never received childhood tetanus shots. It's recommended the first catch-up dose be a Tdap shot.
The disease itself is rare in the United States because the tetanus vaccine is so effective and is regularly administered to our population. However, the bacteria that causes tetanus isn't rare, and its spores are found most commonly in dust, soil, feces and saliva.
Tetanus shots prevent dangerous infections.
Tetanus, also called “lockjaw,” is a serious disease caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When you get tetanus vaccines as recommended, your body makes antibodies, special proteins that will help your immune system fight the toxin produced by the bacteria.
Tetanus can be prevented through immunization with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines (TTCV). However, people who recover from tetanus do not have natural immunity and can be infected again.
Why Do Tetanus Shots Hurt? If you have received a tetanus shot and your arm is sore, you may be experiencing discomfort due to your body's production of antibodies in response to the viruses in the vaccine.
Risk groups
The risk of death from tetanus is highest among people 60 years of age or older. Diabetes, a history of immunosuppression, and intravenous drug use may be risk factors for tetanus.
What happens if you don't get a tetanus shot after a cut? Mild tetanus usually starts with muscle spasms, typically in the jaw muscles. In moderate tetanus, there can be spasms affecting the neck, chest, back, and abdomen muscles.
You may need a tetanus vaccine if the injury has broken your skin and your tetanus vaccinations are not up to date. Tetanus is a serious but rare condition that can be fatal if untreated. The bacteria that can cause tetanus can enter your body through a wound or cut in your skin. They're often found in soil and manure.
Apply first aid to even minor, non-infected wounds like blisters, scrapes, or any break in the skin. Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if washing is not possible. Consult your doctor if you have concerns and need further advice.
Do you believe tetanus, often called lockjaw, is caused by stepping on a rusty nail? If you do, you're partly right. Rust doesn't cause tetanus, but stepping on a nail might if you're not immunized. In fact, any damage to the skin, even burns and blisters, allows tetanus-causing bacteria to enter the body.