When to Get a Tetanus Shot: Age, Frequency, and After Injury

Tetanus is a dangerous, life-threatening disease caused by toxins produced by bacteria named Clostridium tetani. The disease causes painful spasms of the muscles, often starting with clenching of the jaw (tetanus is also called lockjaw). The disease progresses rapidly and is often fatal.

Tetanus bacteria live in soil, animal excreta, house dust, and rusty surfaces such as nails and tools. You’re at risk for tetanus if you’re not vaccinated and get a cut or infected wound that’s contaminated with the spores of the bacteria. These spores mature in the body into bacteria, which release tetanus toxin and cause the disease. Knowing when to get a tetanus shot is essential for your safety.

As an adult, you should have a booster dose of the vaccine every 10 years to maintain immunity and keep yourself safe from this deadly disease. If you get a cut or wound and haven’t received a tetanus shot recently, you can get one at an urgent care center quickly and conveniently.

What Is a Tetanus Vaccine?

The tetanus vaccine is a toxoid — an inactivated form of the tetanus toxin that doesn’t cause the symptoms of tetanus. However, it stimulates your body’s immune system to produce antibodies that inactivate the toxin. If you do get infected by the tetanus bacteria, their toxin will not be able to cause symptoms.

The tetanus vaccine is almost always combined with the diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines. For children, the DTaP vaccine is used. Older children and adults are given the Tdap vaccine, which has the same three vaccines, but in different amounts. These combination vaccines additionally protect you against diphtheria and whooping cough, two other dangerous diseases. Combinations without the pertussis components are also available (DT for children and dT for adults).

When Should You Get the Tetanus Vaccine?

Tetanus vaccination has nearly eliminated the disease from developed countries. Following the recommended schedule and type of vaccine is vital for protective immunity.

• What are tetanus shot recommendations for babies? Three doses of the vaccine are recommended at the ages of 2, 4, and 6 months. For this primary series, tetanus toxoid is usually combined with the diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and poliomyelitis vaccines.
• When do kids get tetanus shots? After the primary series in the first year, children should receive 2 boosters of the 6-in-1 vaccine at ages 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.
• What about preteens and teens? They require a booster shot of the Tdap vaccine at 11 to 18 years.
• Do pregnant people need a shot? Yes, they should take a Tdap shot during the third trimester to protect their newborn from tetanus and whooping cough.

How Do I Know if I Need a Tetanus Shot?

Tetanus is a severe disease with high mortality, and you must have clarity about when you should get a tetanus shot.

• If you’ve never had the tetanus vaccine, your tetanus vaccination is incomplete, or you do not know your vaccination status, you must get the vaccine for any wound.
• If you did receive the recommended primary vaccination, but received your last vaccine more than 10 years ago, you should have a shot now, even for clean and minor wounds.
• If you did receive the recommended primary vaccination, but received your last vaccine more than 5 years ago, you should have a shot now for dirty or major wounds.

How Often Do You Need a Tetanus Booster?

All adults should have a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. However, if you suffer a dirty or contaminated wound, your provider may advise a booster after 5 years.

When Do You Get a Tetanus Shot After a Cut?

A tetanus booster usually protects you for 10 years. The CDC recommends that you not take a booster if your last shot was less than 5 years earlier, or if you have received the 6 recommended tetanus vaccine doses by age 12 years.

However, you may need a booster shot earlier than this recommendation in certain situations:

• Deep or puncture wounds
• Wounds contaminated by dirt, manure, feces, or saliva
• Injuries from rusty objects
• Wounds containing devitalized tissue, such as burns, crush injuries, frostbite, and compound fractures

These are high-risk injuries, and you should get a booster shot as soon as possible. Urgent care centers are a good option as they often have convenient locations and working hours.

Do I Need a Tetanus Shot After a Small Cut?

Yes, you do need a shot if your last shot was over 10 years ago, or earlier if the cut is a high-risk wound.

How Do You Tell if a Cut Will Give You Tetanus?

Dirty and contaminated wounds, injuries with devitalized tissues, and other high-risk injuries have a higher likelihood of giving you tetanus.

What Are the Odds of Getting Tetanus From a Cut?

Almost any cut can lead to tetanus. But the probability is higher if the cut was from a rusted object or contaminated with dirt, saliva, or manure.

Risk Factors and When To Seek Medical Help

The tetanus vaccine has side effects. Mild side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the vaccine site. You may also have a headache or feel tired. These side effects are not dangerous, are short-lived, and do not require urgent care. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help.

Some reactions are serious, and you should seek urgent care. Severe allergic reactions to the tetanus vaccine may manifest as swelling of the face or throat, hives, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat. Children may have seizures or prolonged crying. If you notice any of these symptoms after taking the tetanus vaccine, you should seek medical care urgently.

If you’ve had an injury at risk for tetanus, you should be aware of the danger signs of this disease:

• Stiff jaw
• Painful muscle spasms
• Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• Fast heartbeat
• Fits
• High temperature and shivering

Get the Protection You Need Today

When to get a tetanus shot after a cut? It should be as soon as possible. Next Level Urgent Care has locations all over Texas, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.