Tetanus (Lockjaw)

Overview

  • Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is a serious disease caused by bacteria. The actual disease is caused when the bacteria release a toxin, or poison, into a person’s body.
  • Tetanus gets into the body through cuts or wounds. Tetanus can also infect someone in less commonly considered wounds, such as skin ulcers, scrapes, or insect or animal bites.
  • Tetanus can cause extremely painful muscle cramps all over the body. This disease can be deadly. In the most common form of tetanus, the first sign is spasm of the jaw muscles, followed by stiffness of the neck, and difficulty in swallowing.
  • Tetanus bacteria are in the soil, so people who work, garden or play outside can get infected even from a minor injury, such as a puncture from a thorn.
  • Vaccination is the most effective step you can take to be protected from this serious disease.

Tetanus Vaccine Schedule

Tetanus Vaccine Schedule

All children should get 5 doses of DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine, beginning when they are 2 months old. If your child misses a dose or gets behind schedule, make sure they get the next dose as soon as possible. Older children, teens, and adults should receive the Tdap (Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccine designed for people age 7 years and older, and after that, a Td or Tdap booster dose every 10 years. Consult your healthcare provider if you have a deep or dirty wound: you may need an additional tetanus vaccine booster dose if it has been more than 5 years since your most recent dose.

RESOURCES

Tetanus: Questions and Answers

Information about the disease and vaccines, from Immunize.org.

Partner Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tetanus

Find fact sheets for parents and children, resources, multimedia, and more from CDC.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Vaccines for Your Children: Vaccine (Shot) for Tetanus

Five doses of a DTaP shot for children and one Tdap shot for preteens are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against tetanus. Learn more about meningococcal and vaccines from CDC. A Spanish-language version is also available.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Immunization: Tetanus (Lockjaw)

Find easy-to-understand vaccine information for yourself or your loved ones, from the Department of Health & Human Services.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A Look at Each Vaccine: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccines

Questions and answers about diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and vaccines from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Tetanus: What You Should Know

A tetanus fact sheet and Q&A from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

Mother

Tetanus is far more than a “rusty nail” disease.

Read more.

Yorkshire Post

After tetanus killed a woman after fall in her garden, her daughter speaks out to raise awareness of what could happen if people are not immunized.

Read more.
View All Testimonies
TETANUS PHOTOS

Warning: Some of the images are graphic.

View All Tetanus Photos