Tetanus - Vaccine
Alternate Names : Immunization - Tetanus, Vaccine - Tetanus
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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.
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