Tetanus Prevention
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- Overview
- What It Is
- Causes
- Risk Factors
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- Prognosis
- Living With
- Complications
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- Care Guide
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- When to Contact a Doctor
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- Resource Guide
How to Prevent Tetanus
The best means of prevention is immunization. All children (with few exceptions) should receive the DTaP vaccine, which protects against Diphtheria , tetanus, and Whooping Cough. This is a series of five shots and a booster shot.
All children (with few exceptions) should receive the diphtheria vaccine, usually in the form of the DTaP shot. The regular immunization schedule (for children and adults) is as follows:
- DTaP vaccines at 2, 4, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years of age
- Booster dose of Tdap given at 11 or 12 years old-This is for children who have not already had the Td booster.
- Those aged 13-18 years who missed the above booster dose or received Td only can receive one dose of Tdap 5 years after the last dose.
- Booster of Tdap (one time dose for ages 19-64 years) or Td (every 10 years) to provide continued protection
For children aged 4 months to 6 years who have not yet received the vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following catch-up schedule:
| | |
| First and second dose | 4 weeks |
| Second and third dose | 4 weeks |
| Third and fourth dose | 6 months |
| Fourth and fifth dose | 6 months
|
Children seven years and older and adults who have not been vaccinated should also be vaccinated. The choice and timing will vary based on age and prior vaccine exposure.
In addition to the vaccine, you can prevent tetanus by taking proper care of wounds:
- Promptly clean all wounds.
- See your doctor for medical care of wounds, especially if you have not had a tetanus vaccination in the last 10 years.
