Indications
Tetanus toxoid is a vaccine that protects against tetanus (lockjaw), a serious illness caused by a toxin from bacteria that live in soil, dust and animal dung and enter the body through wounds. Tetanus causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms and can be fatal. The vaccine is given to children (often in a combination vaccine), to women of childbearing age and pregnant women to protect mothers and newborns from tetanus, and as a booster after some injuries.
How It Works
The vaccine contains tetanus toxin that has been made harmless (a toxoid). It cannot cause disease, but it trains the immune system to make antibodies that neutralise the real toxin if infection occurs.
Dosage and Administration
Tetanus toxoid is given by a trained health worker as an injection into a muscle, usually the upper arm in adults or the thigh in infants. The number of doses and timing follow the national immunisation schedule set by health authorities, including the schedule for women of childbearing age. After a dirty or deep wound, a doctor will decide whether a booster dose, and sometimes tetanus immunoglobulin, is needed.
Interactions
It can be given with other vaccines at a different injection site. Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as high-dose steroids or cancer treatment, may reduce the response. Tetanus immunoglobulin can be given at the same visit but in a different limb.
Contraindications
- A severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any vaccine ingredient.
- A serious nerve reaction after an earlier dose should be discussed with a doctor before another dose.
- Postpone during a high fever or acute serious illness (not for a wound needing protection, where the doctor decides).
Side Effects
Common reactions are pain, redness, swelling or a small lump at the injection site, mild fever, headache and tiredness for a day or two. Too-frequent boosters can cause larger local reactions.
Get urgent medical help if there is difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread rash, fainting, a seizure, or weakness or numbness in the arms or legs after vaccination.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Tetanus toxoid is considered safe in pregnancy and is recommended to protect the mother and the newborn baby from tetanus, according to the national schedule. It is safe during breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
Tell the health worker about any bleeding disorder or blood-thinning treatment (pressure is applied after the injection), a weak immune system, or a reaction to an earlier dose. Keep a record of each dose to avoid unnecessary extra boosters. Vaccination should be done where treatment for a rare allergic reaction is available.
Overdose
Overdose is unlikely because doses are given by a health worker. Extra doses given too close together mainly increase local soreness and swelling; inform the doctor.
Therapeutic Class
Bacterial toxoid vaccine.
Storage
Store in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C. Do not freeze; frozen vaccine must be discarded. Keep out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.