Tetanus is an illness caused by toxin-producing bacteria. These toxins force the muscles to remain rigid.
How is tetanus spread?1,2
Tetanus cannot be spread person to person. Typically, the bacteria enters the body through a wound.
Symptoms3,4
Symptoms of tetanus show within 3 to 21 days of infection.2 Symptoms include:
Lockjaw
Stiffness of the neck
Difficulty swallowing
Rigidity of abdominal muscles
Muscle spasms and cramps
Fever and sweating
Headache
Increased blood pressure or heart rate
Complications3,4
In some cases, tetanus may cause deeper, more severe complications including:
Interference with breathing
Death
Bone fractures
Tightening of the vocal cords
Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung)
Pneumonia
- Top
- How is it spread?
- Symptoms
- Complications
- Vaccines
DTaP/TDaP/DT/tD Vaccines
Several vaccines available designed to protect individuals from tetanus. DT/tD (Diphtheria and Tetanus), DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis), and TDaP, all protect you from tetanus as well as other infectious diseases such as diphtheria
Vaccine Safety5
Reviews of VAERS reports associated with DTaP and TDaP vaccines found the vaccines to be safe. Studies looked into some specific neurological problems or seizures and found no association between these complications and the vaccines.
If you are unsure about vaccine safety, you should always speak with your doctor about any potential risks.
Vaccine Effectiveness
Thanks to improved hygiene and the introduction of tetanus vaccinations, reported tetanus cases have dropped significantly since the 1950s. Vaccines are most effective as long as individuals receive the recommended number of doses as well as regular boosters.
The CDC estimates that tetanus vaccines virtually have 100% effectiveness in preventing tetanus in individuals who have follow dosage and booster recommendations.
Vaccine Schedules6
DTaP Vaccine Schedule
dT Vaccine Schedule
TDaP Vaccine Schedule
TD Vaccine Schedule
Which vaccine should I get?
This depends on multiple factors, such as your age, pre-existing medical conditions, and pregnancy status. Speak with your physician about options and recommendations.
How do I know if I am protected against tetanus?
Your vaccination records are the best way of knowing if you have been vaccinated. If these records cannot be found, your doctor may perform a blood test. Speak with your doctor if you are unsure about your immune status.
Types of tetanus vaccines7
Many different manufacturers produce many different vaccines to protect from not only tetanus, but also several other infectious diseases as well.
Legend
DTaP Vaccines
The following vaccines protect individuals from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Some vaccines also include vaccinations for polio, Heptatitis B, and/or Hib.
Name: Daptacel
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Age Range: <7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Infanrix
Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Protections Conferred:Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Age Range: <7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Kinrix
Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio
Age Range: <7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Vaxelis (currently unavailable in the U.S.)
Manufacturer: MCM Vaccine Company
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hepatitis B, HiB
Age Range:<7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Pediarix
Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hepatitis B
Age Range: <7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Pentacel
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, HiB
Age Range:<7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Quadracel
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio
Age Range:<7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
DT Vaccines
DT Vaccines protect individuals from diphtheria and tetanus.
Name: Generic
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus
Age Range:<7 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Td Vaccines
Td vaccines protect individuals from tetanus and diphtheria.
Name: TDVAX
Manufacturer: MassBiologics
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus
Age Range:7 years or older
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: TENIVAC
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus
Age Range:7 years or older
Vaccine Safety Insert
Tdap
Tdap vaccines protect individuals from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Name: Adacel
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Age Range:10 to 64 years old
Vaccine Safety Insert
Name: Boostrix
Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
Protections Conferred: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
Age Range:10 years and older
Vaccine Safety Insert
Side Effects
In some cases, vaccines may cause side effects. Always speak with your doctor about concerns you may have.
Injection site redness or rash
Fever
Joint or muscle stiffness
Injection site pain or soreness
Severe Allergic Reactions
In very rare cases, severe allergic reactions have been observed. Let your doctor know if you have ever experienced any allergic reactions to vaccines.
The Bottom Line
Tetanus is a potentially severe disease that can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccination.
Sources
1. Tetanus: Causes and Transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/about/causes-transmission.html. Published 2019. Accessed May 11, 2020.
2. Tetanus. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/burden/vpd/sur…. Published 2019. Accessed May 11, 2020.
3. Tetanus: Symptoms and Complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/about/symptoms-complications.html. Published 2019. Accessed May 11, 2020.
4. Tetanus. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tetanus/symptoms-causes/…. Published 2019. Accessed May 11, 2020.
5. Vaccine Safety: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/dtap-tdap-vaccine.html. Published 2020. Accessed May 11, 2020.
6. Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html. Published 2020. Accessed May 11, 2020.
7. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/public/index.html. Published 2020. Accessed May 11, 2020.
8. Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pertussis/index.html. Published 2019. Accessed May 11, 2020.
9. Offit PA. A Look at Each Vaccine: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-…. Published 2020. Accessed May 11, 2020.