Vaccines Health Center

How can I prevent tetanus?

Tetanus (lockjaw) infections are very rare in the United States and Canada. You can help prevent tetanus by having all of the suggested tetanus shots (immunizations). There are three different types of tetanus shots.

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) (What is a PDF document?) . This vaccine is given in a series of five shots starting at age 2 months and ending between ages 4 and 6 years. This is called the primary vaccination series.
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) (What is a PDF document?) . This is the first booster shot for tetanus and is recommended for all preteens at age 11 or 12. Teens and adults ages 13 to 64 who never got the Tdap shot should get one dose in place of a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) shot. And all teens and adults (including adults older than 64) who have or expect to have close contact with a baby younger than 1 year old should also get this shot. Tdap helps protect against whooping cough (pertussis).
• Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine (What is a PDF document?) . This vaccine is given as a booster shot every 10 years.

Why is it important to prevent tetanus?

Tetanus is a disease caused by a bacterial infection. The tetanus bacteria get in a wound through a break in the skin or mucous membrane. A cut, puncture wound, deep scrape, deep burn, or any injury that breaks the skin or mucous membrane are called wounds.

The bacteria make a toxin, or poison, that causes severe muscle spasms and seizures. Tetanus is also called "lockjaw" because muscle spasms in your jaw make it hard to open your mouth. This makes it hard to swallow or breathe. Tetanus can be very dangerous and can cause death. The best way to prevent the disease is to have a tetanus shot if you need one.

How can I tell if I need a tetanus shot?

To decide if you need a tetanus shot, first decide if the object that caused the wound was dirty or clean. An object is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. A clean object does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.

You will need a tetanus shot if:

• Your wound was caused by something that was clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago.
• Your wound was caused by something that was dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago.
• You are not sure if your wound was caused by something clean or dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago.
• You are not sure when you had your last tetanus shot.
• You did not get the first series of tetanus shots (primary vaccination series).