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tetanus

Did you know?

About 2 in 10 people who get tetanus will die.

About the vaccine

The tetanus vaccine is free for children and recommended for adults every ten years. It is combined with other vaccines, so you can receive protection from several diseases with one shot. 

Can you remember the last time you were vaccinated against tetanus? If not, contact your public health nurse or doctor to make an appointment. When you get vaccinated, you help protect others as well.

Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get tetanus.

Remember: Get a tetanus shot as soon as possible if you have a dirty cut or wound and five or more years have passed since your last tetanus shot.  

For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and possible reactions, read our BC HealthFiles:

  DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib (105) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b). Three doses are given to children under the age of 7 years, usually at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

DTaP-IPV-Hib (15b) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type b) A single dose is given as a booster to children at 18 months of age after completing a three dose primary series of DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib.

Some children may receive DTaP-IPV-Hib as a three dose primary series at 2, 4 and 6 months followed by a booster dose at 18 months.

DTaP-IPV (15a) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio)
One dose for children 4 to 6 years of age. Given as children start school.

Tdap (18c) (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Given as a single booster dose to grade 9 students to stengthen their immune system after they have already been immunized earlier in life.



 

 Td (18a) (Tetanus, Diphtheria) Booster dose recommended for adults every 10 years if they have been immunized earlier in life.

About the disease

Tetanus, (lockjaw), is a disease of the nervous system caused by bacteria mostly found in soilChild with painful muscle contractions due to tetanus

  • Tetanus usually enters the body through a cut or scrape or any break in the skin
  • The bacteria produce a poison that can cause painful tightening of muscles all over the body. Tetanus can be very serious if the breathing muscles are affected.
  • About 2 in 10 people who get tetanus will die
  • There is now less tetanus disease in BC because of routine childhood vaccinations
    • More vaccine preventable disease images.


    Photos courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention