Tetanus Vaccine
Who Should Get It:
The tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), a serious bacterial infection caused by wounds or cuts exposed to contaminated surfaces. It’s recommended for:
Children and teens as part of the DTaP/Tdap vaccine series
Adults who haven't had a booster in the last 10 years
People with deep or dirty wounds who haven’t been vaccinated in the last 5 years
Pregnant women (given as part of the Tdap during each pregnancy)
Before the Injection:
Inform your provider if you’ve had a severe reaction to a previous tetanus vaccine or have Guillain-Barré Syndrome
No special preparation is needed
After the Injection:
Mild side effects may include:
Pain or swelling at the injection site
Mild fever, fatigue, or headache
Body aches
These usually go away in 1–2 days.
Serious side effects are very rare.
Protection Timeline:
Given as part of a series of childhood vaccines (DTaP)
Booster dose every 10 years for adults
Protection begins within a few days and is long-lasting with boosters
Who Should Get It:
The tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), a serious bacterial infection caused by wounds or cuts exposed to contaminated surfaces. It’s recommended for:
Children and teens as part of the DTaP/Tdap vaccine series
Adults who haven't had a booster in the last 10 years
People with deep or dirty wounds who haven’t been vaccinated in the last 5 years
Pregnant women (given as part of the Tdap during each pregnancy)
Before the Injection:
Inform your provider if you’ve had a severe reaction to a previous tetanus vaccine or have Guillain-Barré Syndrome
No special preparation is needed
After the Injection:
Mild side effects may include:
Pain or swelling at the injection site
Mild fever, fatigue, or headache
Body aches
These usually go away in 1–2 days.
Serious side effects are very rare.
Protection Timeline:
Given as part of a series of childhood vaccines (DTaP)
Booster dose every 10 years for adults
Protection begins within a few days and is long-lasting with boosters