Tetanus - Vaccine

See all Pictures & Images

Risks

It is much riskier to get tetanus than it is to get the vaccine. Mild reactions to DTaP are fairly common and include:

• Slight fever (about 1 in 4)
• Redness or swelling at the injection site (about 1 in 4)
• Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (about 1 in 4)
• Fussiness (up to 1 in 3)
• Tiredness or poor appetite (up to 1 in 10)
• Swelling of the entire arm or leg where the shot was given for 1-7 days (about 1 in 30)
• Vomiting (around 1 in 50)

Moderate problems are uncommon and include:

• Crying nonstop for 3 hours or more (1 in 1,000)
• Seizures (1 in 14,000)
• High fever greater than 105 degrees F (1 in 16,000)

Severe problems are very rare and include:

• Serious allergic reaction (less than once per one million doses)
• Long-term seizures, coma, lowered consciousness, permanent brain damage (extremely rare and not proven to have been caused by the vaccine)

As with any medications or any vaccine, there is a chance of other serious complications, including death. This is rare after tetanus immunization. For almost all people, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.

Today's Top News Stories
•	Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00 Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says.
•	Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00 Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say.
•	Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24 Breast Cancer Hot Flashes Emphysema
•	Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00 French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time.
•	Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00 But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds.