Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine Dosage and When to Get The Shot: An Essential Guide

You might have heard about tetanus or been advised to get a tetanus injection when you get hurt, but what is it exactly? Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection, and the culprit is Clostridium tetani. This bacterium enters the body via cuts, wounds, or injuries.

It produces a toxin that affects your nervous system and causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms, often starting with your jaw (lockjaw) and then spreading to the neck, shoulders, and other areas. Without immediate treatment, tetanus can be life-threatening.

The best way to prevent tetanus is through tetanus toxoid vaccination. So, you need to know when to get a tetanus shot after a cut, what the appropriate tetanus toxoid vaccine dose is, and what the adult, child, and pregnant women vaccine schedule should be for the best protection against tetanus.

This guide will help you learn everything you'll need to know, including the dose, schedule (booster), and more.

The tetanus toxoid vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, which means it does not consist of live bacteria. The tetanus vaccine has a purified, inactivated form of the tetanus toxin (toxoid), which stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that will protect you from the bacteria.

The antibodies produced stay in your body and provide protection against tetanus for many years. However, with time, these antibodies fade, which is why you need boosters to maintain immunity. Most often, the tetanus toxoid vaccine is given as DTaP (for children) and Tdap (for adults) shots. The shot offers protection against other illnesses, too, like whooping cough (pertussis) and diphtheria.

Who Should Get the Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine and Why

Almost everyone should be protected against tetanus, as the bacteria can be found in soil, dust, and manure. Infections can occur even through minor cuts on the skin.

People in the following groups are recommended to get the vaccine:

• Infants and children are part of the routine immunisation schedule.
• Adults who have not had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years.
• Anyone with a wound or injury with uncertain vaccination status.
• Pregnant women need to protect themselves and the newborn.

The proper dosage and schedule of the vaccine depend on each person's current and previous vaccination status, age, and health.

1. Children need to receive the DTaP vaccine in a five-dose series, one dose each at the ages of 2, 4, and 6 months, between 15 and 18 months, and between four and six years.

2. A dose of Tdap should be given to adolescents at 11-12 years of age.

3. For Adults, if you’ve never received a dose of Tdap, get a Tdap dose, followed by Td or Tdap every 10 years thereafter.

The standard dosage for a tetanus toxoid vaccine is 0.5 mL intramuscularly for both adults and children.

Tetanus Toxoid Booster: How Often Do You Need It?

The immunity obtained from the tetanus vaccine declines over time, and that is why booster shots every 10 years are essential.

Quick intervention can save a life.

How Soon to Get a Tetanus Shot After a Cut or Injury

1. If you’ve finished the primary series and received a booster dose in the last 5 years, then you don’t need an extra dose.

2. If your last booster was more than 5 years ago, then you should get a booster, especially if the wound is contaminated or deep.

3. If you’re unsure when your last tetanus injection was, then you should get both a tetanus toxoid vaccine and possibly tetanus immune globulin (TIG) for immediate protection.

While tetanus was common in India, especially in rural areas, it is not the case anymore due to vaccination. Moreover, you can easily get a tetanus shot from healthcare providers (physicians or hospitals). You can make an appointment, and the doctor will assess the wound to decide on proper care. It is generally recommended that you get the shot within two days of the injury.

Tetanus occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth can be dangerous, as both maternal and neonatal tetanus have a high fatality rate in newborns.

Safety and Need for Tetanus Toxoid in Pregnant Women

The tetanus toxoid vaccine is safe for use during pregnancy. It protects the mother and baby as antibodies produced by the mother after vaccination are passed to the baby and will prevent neonatal tetanus.

Number of Tetanus Injections and Exact Dosage During Pregnancy

If you’re unvaccinated, then you need two doses of 0.5 mL tetanus toxoid (or 0.5 mL each time if prefilled) separated by at least four weeks between doses and two weeks before delivery.

If you’ve previously been vaccinated, then you only require one booster dose.

Recommended Schedule for Pregnant Women: Timing and Doses

-First dose: As soon as possible in pregnancy.

• Second dose: four to six weeks from first dose.

• Your doctor can suggest a third dose if more than five years have passed since the previous vaccination

How Much Does a Tetanus Injection Cost in India?

The price of a tetanus toxoid vaccine in India varies according to location and the healthcare provider. However, they generally cost the following:

• Government hospitals and vaccination programs: They are usually free of charge.
• Private clinics: Rs 20-150 per dose.
• Combination vaccines such as Tdap: Rs 500 to Rs 1500.

Tetanus antitoxin is not the same as the tetanus toxoid vaccine. It's used short-term to provide immediate protection. Tetanus antitoxin is given to:

• Patients with a high-risk wound who have never been vaccinated.
• Tetanus antitoxin is used for post-exposure prophylaxis together with tetanus toxoid if the patient hasn’t had any of the three tetanus vaccinations.

The tetanus toxoid vaccine has a proven track record, is safe, effective, and protects you from a potentially fatal disease. Attention to the proper dosages, booster schedules, and special precautions during pregnancy and after injury will help to ensure long-lasting immunity from tetanus for you, your children, and your family. Remember, prevention is always better than the cure!

Q. How soon should I get a tetanus shot after a cut or injury?

A. You should get a tetanus booster immediately if your last dose was over 5 years ago or your vaccination status is unknown.

Q. Is the tetanus injection valid for only 6 months in India?

A. No, this is a myth. Tetanus immunity typically lasts for around 5 to 10 years. The 6-month belief comes from outdated practices.

Q. Do pregnant women need a tetanus shot during pregnancy?

A. Yes. It protects both the mother and newborn from tetanus, especially in areas with higher neonatal tetanus risk.

Q. How many tetanus injections are needed during pregnancy?

A. Unvaccinated women need two doses, 4–6 weeks apart. Previously vaccinated women may only need one booster.

Q. What is the correct tetanus toxoid dosage in pregnancy according to Indian guidelines?

A. Each dose is 0.5 mL, given intramuscularly, at recommended intervals during pregnancy.

Q. What is the difference between the tetanus toxoid vaccine and tetanus antitoxin?

A. The vaccine provides long-term immunity, whereas the antitoxin gives immediate but short-term protection after high-risk wounds.

Q. Can children get the same tetanus vaccine dosage as adults?

A. Yes. The standard dose for both children and adults is 0.5 mL intramuscularly. However, children are generally given DTaP, whereas adults are given Tdap.

Q. How often should adults get a tetanus booster shot?

A. Adults should get a booster every 10 years, or sooner if they have a high-risk wound.