The tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus, a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. A booster may be advised for travellers and for anyone whose protection is no longer up to date.
£35 per dose — single-dose course
Who it is for
Travellers and adults whose last tetanus dose was more than ten years ago, or anyone not up to date with their routine immunisations
Number of doses
Usually a single booster dose for those previously vaccinated; a fuller primary course may be needed for anyone unvaccinated or with an uncertain history
When to have it
Ideally before travel so protection is up to date, particularly when visiting areas where prompt wound care may be limited
How long protection lasts
Around ten years following a booster, after which a further dose may be advised
How it is given
A single injection into the upper arm, often combined with diphtheria and polio in one vaccine
Price
£35 per dose
The tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus, a serious bacterial infection that enters the body through wounds and affects the nervous system. For travel it is usually given as a single booster, often combined with diphtheria and polio, and may be advised if your last dose was over ten years ago. The tetanus vaccine is available at Crewe Travel Clinic in Crewe, Cheshire.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust and manure, which can enter the body through cuts, wounds and burns. The infection produces a toxin that affects the nerves and muscles, leading to painful muscle stiffness and spasms that can become life-threatening if untreated.
Tetanus does not spread from person to person, so protection depends entirely on vaccination. In the UK, most people receive tetanus vaccination as part of their childhood immunisations, but protection can fade over time and a booster may be needed.
For travel, a tetanus booster is usually given as a single dose, often combined with diphtheria and polio in one injection. This is particularly relevant for travellers visiting areas where medical care may be limited and the risk of injury is higher. Your travel health nurse will check your vaccination history to advise whether a booster is suitable for you.
Ideally before travel
A booster is ideally given before departure so your protection is up to date, especially when travelling to areas where prompt medical care may be harder to access.
High level of protection
The tetanus vaccine provides a strong protective immune response, and a booster reliably restores immunity in those previously vaccinated.
Around ten years
A booster dose generally maintains protection for around ten years, after which a further booster may be advised, particularly following a high-risk injury.
A tetanus booster may be advised for travellers whose last dose was more than ten years ago, especially those visiting areas where medical care may be limited or where the risk of injury is higher. It is also relevant for anyone in the UK who is not up to date with their tetanus protection. Your travel health nurse will review your history before recommending it.
A tetanus booster may be advised for travellers and adults whose last dose was more than ten years ago, especially those visiting destinations where access to prompt wound care and medical treatment may be limited. It is also relevant for anyone in the UK who is not up to date with their routine immunisations. Because tetanus bacteria are present in soil and the environment worldwide, the risk applies in all countries, and it is greater for those undertaking activities with a higher chance of cuts, grazes or animal-related injuries. Your travel health nurse will review your vaccination history before recommending a booster.
For people who completed the routine childhood immunisation programme, tetanus protection is usually topped up with a single booster dose. For travel this is most often given as a combined diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccine in one injection, which is convenient when these are due together. Anyone who has never been vaccinated, or whose history is uncertain, may need a primary course of three doses given over several months to build full protection. Your travel health nurse will check your records and advise the most suitable schedule for you.
In the UK, a person who has completed five appropriately spaced doses of tetanus-containing vaccine is generally considered to have lifelong protection. For travel purposes, a booster is often recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago, so that protection is reliably up to date when visiting areas where medical care may be limited. A further booster may also be advised after a wound that carries a higher risk of tetanus, depending on the injury and your vaccination history.
The tetanus vaccine has a well-established safety record and most side effects are mild and settle within a few days. The most common reactions occur around the injection site. Serious reactions are very rare. Your travel health nurse will discuss any individual considerations with you before vaccination and advise on managing any minor effects afterwards.