Tetanus vaccine

Tetanus vaccine
Tetanus vaccination is often administered via combination DPT vaccines
Vaccine description
TargetTetanus
Vaccine typeToxoid
Clinical data
MedlinePlusa682198
License data
Routes of
administration		Injection
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
ChemSpider
  • none
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Tetanus vaccine, also known as tetanus toxoid (TT), is a toxoid vaccine used to prevent tetanus.[2] During childhood, five doses are recommended, with a sixth given during adolescence.[2]

After three doses, almost everyone is initially immune,[2] but additional doses every ten years are recommended to maintain immunity.[3] A booster shot should be given within 48 hours of an injury to people whose immunization is out of date.[4]

Confirming that pregnant women are up to date on tetanus immunization during each pregnancy can prevent both maternal and neonatal tetanus.[2][5][6] The vaccine is very safe, including during pregnancy and in those with HIV/AIDS.[2]

Redness and pain at the site of injection occur in between 25% and 85% of people.[2] Fever, feeling tired, and minor muscle pain occurs in less than 10% of people.[2] Severe allergic reactions occur in fewer than one in 100,000 people.[2]

A number of vaccine combinations include the tetanus vaccine, such as DTaP and Tdap, which contain diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines, and DT and Td, which contain diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.[7] DTaP and DT are given to children less than seven years old, while Tdap and Td are given to those seven years old and older.[7][8] The lowercase d and p denote lower strengths of diphtheria and pertussis vaccines.[7]

Tetanus antiserum was developed in 1890, with its protective effects lasting a few weeks.[9][10] The tetanus toxoid vaccine was developed in 1924, and came into common use for soldiers in World War II.[2][11] Its use resulted in a 95% decrease in the rate of tetanus.[2] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[12]

  1. ^ "Active substance: diphtheria / tetanus vaccines (adsorbed), diphtheria vaccines (adsorbed)" (PDF). List of nationally authorised medicinal products. European Medicines Agency. 14 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j World Health Organization (February 2017). "Tetanus vaccines: WHO position paper – February 2017" (PDF). Weekly Epidemiological Record. 92 (6): 53–76. hdl:10665/254583. PMID 28185446.
  3. ^ Hamborsky J, Kroger A, Wolfe S, eds. (2015). "Chapter 21: Tetanus". Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (13th ed.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "Puncture wounds: First aid". Mayo Clinic. 4 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference cdctdap was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Havers FP, Moro PL, Hunter P, Hariri S, Bernstein H (January 2020). "Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2019" (PDF). MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 69 (3): 77–83. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6903a5. PMC 7367039. PMID 31971933. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ a b c "Vaccines: VPD-VAC/Tetanus/main page". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2020". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 3 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ Gradmann C, Simon J (2010). Evaluating and Standardizing Therapeutic Agents, 1890-1950. Springer. p. 53. ISBN 9780230285590.
  10. ^ Jones BR (2016). Pharmacology for Student and Pupil Nurses and Students in Associated Professions. Elsevier. p. 162. ISBN 9781483141312.
  11. ^ Macera C (2012). Introduction to Epidemiology: Distribution and Determinants of Disease. Nelson Education. p. 251. ISBN 9781285687148. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  12. ^ World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.