Tetanus

• This is a combination vaccine which protects infants from Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio, and Haemophilus Influenza Type b Adsorbed (DTaP- HB- IPV- Hib)

• This vaccine is given as a series of 3 doses to infants at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months of age. 

Booster dose at 18 months of age: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus (DTaP-IPV-Hib) vaccine

• This vaccine is given as a booster dose to infants at 18 months of age, after the 3 dose primary series is complete.

Booster dose at 4 to 6 years of age: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio (Tdap-IPV) vaccine

• This vaccine is given as a booster dose to children  4 to 6 years of age who have already been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio at a younger age. 

Grade 9 booster: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine

• This vaccine is given as a booster dose for all Grade 9 students who have already been immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at a younger age. 

Adult booster dose: Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) Adsorbed vaccine

• This vaccine is a booster dose given to adults every 10 years to remain protected against tetanus and diphtheria.
• Adults who have not been immunized against pertussis, should receive a one time dose of Tdap.

Pregnancy booster dose: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine

• All pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine, regardless of previous Tdap immunization history.

• Tetanus, commonly referred to as “lockjaw”, is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust and manure.
• When the bacteria enter the skin through a cut or scrape, they produce a poison that affects the nervous system and can cause painful tightening of muscles all over the body and even death in 10 per cent of cases.
• It’s especially dangerous if the breathing muscles are affected.
• Tetanus is different from other vaccine preventable diseases because it does not spread from person to person. 

• This vaccine is safe and very effective.
• Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus and its complications.
• The tetanus vaccine is combined with other vaccines to protect you or your child against other infections with fewer shots.
• This vaccination is free in the Yukon for those who need it.

• Most children and adults have no reactions to immunization.
• For those that do, the most common reaction is swelling and redness with or without tenderness around the injection site.
• A few people may develop fever, headaches or muscle pain. These reactions are mild, and generally last 1 or 2 days. If this is the case with you or your child, you may choose to give or take a fever medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Some infants may experience drowsiness, irritability or loss of appetite following immunization.
• Side effects of the immunization are easily relieved by applying a cold and damp compress to the site and administering acetaminophen or ibuprofen for temperatures 38.5°C or higher. See your health care provider if your symptoms are severe or last longer than 48 hours.
• It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any immunization because there is a rare possibility of developing a severe allergic reaction which is treatable at the clinic. This happens to fewer than 1 in 1 million people. If it happens after you leave the clinic, call 911 or the local emergency number. If you or your child experiences any serious or unexpected reactions, contact your physician and report all severe reactions to one of the nurses at your local Health Centre.