Recommended for people travelling to remote areas and those who has been in physical contact with soil or manure, and got an open wound or cut in the skin, or those whose tetanus vaccinations are not up-to-date.
What is the Tetanus Vaccine used for?
Tetanus vaccines help to prevent tetanus from recent cuts or wounds that have been contaminated with the bacteria, Clostridium tetani. Some examples of tetanus-prone wounds include those contaminated with dirt, faeces, soil and saliva, or a puncture wound (e.g. due to an animal bite).
Tetanus is a serious disease affecting the nerves. The tetanus bacteria produces a toxin that causes “lockjaw”, resulting in painful muscle contractions. This affects breathing and swallowing and can be life threatening.
Who should receive the Tetanus Vaccine?
As part of post-exposure prevention of tetanus, the recommendations are summarized below:
| Type of Wound | Person Not/Partially Vaccinated Against Tetanus | Person Vaccinated Against Tetanus (Time Since Last Booster) | |
| 5 to 10 years | More than 10 years | ||
| Minor: Clean | 1 dose of Tetanus vaccine | No need for Tetanus vaccine | 1 dose of Tetanus vaccine |
| Major: Clean or Tetanus-prone | 1 dose of Tetanus vaccine* | 1 dose of Tetanus vaccine | 1 dose of Tetanus vaccine* |
You may also consider receiving the tetanus vaccine, if you have not had the vaccine in the last 10 years, and are going to remote areas where medical care is not easily accessible.
