[mad madam mim]

Can anyone tell me how often you are supposed to get a tetnus shot? From memory I haven't had one in maybe 9 years, my twins are due for their 4 year old needles next month so if I need another will make an appointment for myself at the same time .

[gvdb]

10 years

[fairymagic]

Yep 10 years. My last booster was a combined Whooping Cough/Tetanus shot so it might be worth asking about this if you haven't had a Whooping Cough booster in the last 10 years.

[melajoe]

I think it's recommended every 10 years? I had one when I was 5 but then didn't have one for a long time after that because of a severe needle phobia. I actually went to the doctor to have it when I was around 15 but became so anxious, balling up and crying and embarrassing myself (and mum) and telling the doctor he was not allowed to give it to me if I refused, before making a mad dash out of the doctor's surgery. Being a human pincushion during two pregnancies cured me of that, haha, and then I had it again in the Whooping Cough booster after DD2 was born.

[mad madam mim]

lol don't worry Melajoe, I was exactly the same, I used to have to lay down to get a needle in case I passed out, like you ttc/pregnancy has semi cured me, I still have my coping techniques but I can sit in the chair for needles/blood now without the risk of fainting. Sounds like I am about due so might just get it done in one hit when the kids have theirs.

[MoonPie]

If you've had a whooping cough vaccine lately, chances are it was a combined diptheria. pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus one.

[bebe12]

Hi,

A tetanus only shot is due only if you have fall on the dirt and grazed the skin. As tetanus is anaerobic - meaning it lives without air therefore this is why it is the stuck with rusty nail image.

Normal people get booster with DTP shot every 10 years

I for one have a bad reaction to tetanus shot as had single shot due to horse riding accident, where my arm stayed sore, red and swollen for a week. I recently had DTP booster as have new DS and again same reaction.
Unfortunately there is no just pertussis injection available. I work in health so had tests when pregnant to prove my immunisation status and had to stop working 3 months early as i wasn't cover for pertussis and there was an out break at the time.