Tetanus Vaccine

Td/Tdap: The tetanus vaccine, available with or without pertussis, is available to all Oakdale OB/GYN patients.  It is recommended everyone should receive this vaccine every 10 years.  The tetanus vaccine can protect against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (whooping cough).  CDC on the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine.

Getting tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis would be much more likely to lead to severe problems than getting either vaccine.  Problems reported after the Td and Tdap vaccines are listed below.

Mild Problems

Noticeable, but did not interfere with activities:

  • Pain.
  • Redness or swelling.
  • Mild fever of at least 100.4 degrees F.
  • Headache.
  • Tiredness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Stomach ache.
  • Chills.
  • Body aches.
  • Sore joints.
  • Rash.
  • Swollen glands.

Moderate Problems

Interfered with activities, but did not require medical attention:

  • Pain at the injection site.
  • Redness or swelling.
  • Fever over 102 degrees F.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Stomach ache.

Severe Problems

Unable to perform usual activities; required medical attention:

  • Two adults had nervous system problems after getting the vaccine during clinical trials.  These may or may not have been caused by the vaccine.  These problems went away on their own and did not cause any permanent harm.
  • Swelling, severe pain, and redness in the arm where the shot was given (rare).

A severe allergic reaction could occur after any vaccine. They are estimated to occur less than once in a million doses.

**This information was taken directly from the Td-Tdap VIS dated 11/18/2008.