Tetanus Shot Needed for Glass Cut
Yes, you need a tetanus shot (Tdap preferred) if you've been cut with glass and it's been more than 5 years since your last tetanus vaccination. 1
Wound Classification Determines Timing
Glass cuts are classified as contaminated/tetanus-prone wounds because they may be contaminated with dirt, soil, or other environmental contaminants. 1, 2 This classification is critical because:
- For contaminated wounds: Tetanus booster needed if ≥5 years since last dose 3, 1
- For clean, minor wounds only: Booster needed if ≥10 years since last dose 1, 4
Since you haven't had a tetanus shot in over 10 years, you clearly meet the criteria for vaccination regardless of wound type. 1
Tdap vs. Td: Which Vaccine to Get
Tdap is strongly preferred over Td alone if you have not previously received Tdap or your Tdap history is unknown. 3, 1 This provides protection against pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to tetanus and diphtheria. 2
- If you've already received Tdap in the past, either Td or Tdap can be used 3, 1
- For pregnant women requiring tetanus prophylaxis, Tdap should always be used 1
Do You Need Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG)?
No TIG is needed if you completed your primary childhood vaccination series (3 doses), even though it's been over 10 years. 1
TIG is only required when: 1, 2
- You have <3 previous doses or unknown vaccination history
- You are severely immunocompromised (HIV infection or severe immunodeficiency) with a contaminated wound
Critical Clinical Pitfall to Avoid
The most common error is confusing the 10-year routine booster interval with the 5-year interval for contaminated wounds. 2 Many patients and providers mistakenly believe they're protected for 10 years regardless of wound type, but contaminated wounds require boosters at 5-year intervals. 1, 2
A 2024 case report documented a 79-year-old woman with proper vaccination (last booster 7 years prior) who developed severe generalized tetanus after a contaminated leg wound because she was not given tetanus prophylaxis at the initial emergency visit—she should have received it since >5 years had elapsed. 5
Timing of Administration
There is no urgency to administer the tetanus vaccine in the acute setting—it provides protection against future injuries, not the current one, since there is no early antitoxin response within the first 4 days after booster. 6, 7 However, it should still be given during your wound care visit for convenience and to ensure compliance. 7
Safety Considerations
The 10+ year interval since your last tetanus vaccine is well beyond any safety concerns. 1 Intervals as short as 2 years between Td and Tdap are considered safe, so your longer interval poses no increased risk for adverse reactions. 3