From the Guidelines
A tetanus shot typically provides protection for 10 years in adults. After receiving the initial series of tetanus vaccinations in childhood (usually given as DTaP or Tdap, which also protect against diphtheria and pertussis), adults should get a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) every decade to maintain immunity 1. However, if you experience a dirty wound or deep puncture injury and it's been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot, doctors typically recommend getting another booster at that time. This is because tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) live in soil and can enter the body through wounds, producing a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions and can be life-threatening. The vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies against this toxin, but these antibody levels gradually decrease over time, necessitating periodic boosters to maintain protection.
Some key points to consider:
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a 10-year interval for routine administration of Td (e.g., decennial Td booster) 1.
- For wound management, a booster is appropriate if the patient has not received tetanus toxoid within the preceding 5 years 1.
- Pregnant women should receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, regardless of when they last received a tetanus shot, to help protect their newborn.
- Allowing either Tdap or Td to be used in situations where Td only was previously recommended increases provider point-of-care flexibility 1.
It's essential to follow the recommended vaccination schedule to ensure continued protection against tetanus and diphtheria. Booster doses of Td should be administered every 10 years throughout life 1.
From the Research
Tetanus Shot Duration
- The duration of a tetanus shot is typically considered to be around 10 years, as the currently recommended booster is given every ten years 2.
- However, a study published in the Journal of general internal medicine in 1993 suggests that a single booster at age 65 may be a more cost-effective strategy than the traditional decennial booster 2.
- The study used a Markov model to compare the cost-effectiveness of three different vaccination strategies, including the currently recommended booster every ten years, a single booster at 65 years of age, and no intervention after age 6 except for wound prophylaxis 2.
- The results of the study show that the decennial booster strategy is least cost-effective, with a discounted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $143,138 per year of life saved, compared to $4,527 for the single-booster strategy 2.
- The study's findings suggest that a tetanus shot may last for a longer period than traditionally thought, and that a single booster at age 65 may provide sufficient protection against tetanus 2.