Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Tetanus: Who Needs to be Vaccinated?
Does my child need this vaccine?
Yes, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends 5 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for infants and children. One dose of DTaP vaccine is recommended at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 through 18 months, 4 through 6 years old. DTaP vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Tetanus: Make Sure You and Your Child Are Fully Immunized
Feature explaining tetanus disease and tetanus vaccine protection.
See also:
- childhood immunization schedule
- Who should not be vaccinated?
- Td/Tdap Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- DTaP Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
As a teen or adult, do I need this vaccine?
Everyone needs protection from tetanus. If you have not had a booster shot in 10 years or more, you should receive a tetanus shot. However, you should get the Tdap vaccine (the tetanus booster that also protects against pertussis) as soon as possible if you have not yet received it. You can get Tdap no matter when you last got a Td booster shot. Expectant mothers should get Tdap during the third trimester. If you never had the initial childhood tetanus vaccines, you should receive a series of three tetanus shots.
See also:
Return to main Tetanus Vaccination page
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Content last reviewed on January 9, 2013
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases