Tetanus Toxoid Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tetanus Toxoid Injection (generic name: Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed) is a vaccine used to provide active immunity against tetanus toxin. It is given to people 7 years of age and older, often together with diphtheria toxoid, and may also be used for tetanus prophylaxis after a wound. The vaccine works by training the immune system to produce antibodies against the tetanus toxin, and booster doses are recommended periodically to maintain protection.

What is Tetanus Toxoid Injection

Tetanus toxoid is a vaccine used to provide active immunity against tetanus toxin. Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is a serious disease that can cause severe muscle spasms and can be fatal.

Tetanus Toxoid Injection uses

• Active immunization against tetanus in people 7 years of age and older
• Used together with diphtheria toxoid in combination vaccines to protect against both tetanus and diphtheria
• Given for tetanus prophylaxis (prevention) after a wound, depending on the wound type and vaccination history

Benefits of Tetanus Toxoid Injection

• Helps the body build protection against a serious, often fatal disease
• Booster doses help keep protection strong throughout life
• A complete vaccination series is considered highly effective at preventing tetanus

How Tetanus Toxoid Injection works

The vaccine contains a weakened form of the toxin made by the tetanus bacteria. This trains your immune system to make antibodies so your body is ready to fight the toxin if you're ever exposed to it.

Tetanus Toxoid Injection dosage

This vaccine is given by injection into a muscle, usually in the upper arm (deltoid) or thigh. It should not be injected into the buttocks or given intravenously, subcutaneously, or intradermally. The vial should be shaken well before the dose is drawn up, since the vaccine settles into a suspension. A separate sterile needle and syringe should be used for each person, and the vaccine should not be mixed with other vaccines or medicines in the same syringe.

People with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners should tell the provider before the injection. Vaccination may be postponed if you have a high fever or significant acute illness. Booster doses are recommended periodically to maintain protection into adulthood and older age.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection (suspension for intramuscular injection)
• Single dose vials (0.5 mL)
• Multidose vials

Side effects of Tetanus Toxoid Injection

Common

• Pain, redness, swelling, or warmth at the injection site
• Fever
• Feeling generally unwell (malaise)
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Headache
• Chills
• Tiredness or irritability

Serious

• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Other neurological complications, including brachial neuritis
• Anaphylactic shock or other severe allergic reactions
• Seizures (convulsions)
• High fever over 103°F (39.4°C)
• Severe or continuing swelling, blistering, or pain at the injection site
• Swelling of glands in the armpit
• Swelling of an entire arm or leg
• Continued, inconsolable crying, especially in babies and children

Warnings and precautions

• Do not receive this vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of this vaccine or a similar vaccine, or to any of its ingredients.
• If you developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous tetanus vaccine, tell your doctor before getting another dose, since the decision to vaccinate again needs careful thought.
• People who had a strong local reaction (Arthus-type reaction) to an earlier tetanus shot usually already have high antibody levels and should not get this vaccine more often than every 10 years.
• If you have a weakened immune system, from illness or from treatment, the vaccine may not protect you as well as it would in someone with a healthy immune system.
• Fainting can happen after any injection, so tell your doctor if you or your child has fainted after a previous shot.
• People with bleeding disorders or on blood-thinning medication should tell their provider, since the injection needs extra care to avoid excess bleeding.
• The vaccine should only be given to pregnant women if it is clearly needed, since there is not enough research in pregnant women to be sure of the risks.
• It is not known if the vaccine passes into breast milk. Your provider will weigh the benefits and risks before giving the vaccine to a breastfeeding woman.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or serious neurological reactions after vaccination.
• Keep a record of all previous tetanus vaccinations.
• Inform your healthcare provider about current illnesses, fever, or immune system conditions.
• This vaccine does not affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• Do not freeze.
• Discard the product if it has been exposed to freezing.
• Do not use after the expiration date.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or severe, sudden weakness or tiredness.
• Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have confusion, seizures, a fever over 103°F (39.4°C), a severe or ongoing headache, excessive sleepiness, severe or ongoing swelling or pain at the injection site, swelling of glands under the arm, unusual irritability, or severe or ongoing vomiting.
• Seek emergency care right away for a severe allergic reaction, including trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, hives, or vomiting.

Alternatives

• Tdap Vaccine
• DTaP Vaccine
• Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG)