Tetanus Booster, Tdap Vaccine

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle contractions in the neck, jaw, and abdomen. It is also called “lockjaw” because it may cause muscles in the neck and jaw to lock up, making it difficult to open the mouth and swallow. Other symptoms may include breathing problems, muscle spasms, and seizures. Once infected, it can take several weeks for symptoms to start appearing, and it can take months to fully recover.

Typically found in the soil, dust, and manure, tetanus bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin such as a cut or open wound. That’s why it’s important for adults to get a tetanus booster vaccine every 10 years.

The tetanus vaccine is used in some combination with diphtheria (D or d) and pertussis (P or p) vaccines, or diphtheria alone. The upper case letters represent a full dose of the vaccine, while lower case letters represent a lower dose of the vaccine:

DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. Given to children in 5 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months old, at 15-18 months, and at 4-6 years.