The tetanus vaccine protects people who may come into contact with the bacteria that cause tetanus. As with any vaccine, the tetanus shot can lead to the possibility of some side effects.

Tetanus is a rare but potentially dangerous disease that causes stiffening and tightening of the muscles.

Tetanus occurs as a result of a bacterial infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tetanus kills one out of every ten people who contract the disease.

The bacteria that cause tetanus may be most common in substances such as dust, soil, or manure. They often enter the body through injuries that include scratches or cuts.

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People who may come into contact with the bacteria that cause tetanus should get a vaccine.

Vaccines are a type of medication and, just as with other medicines, there is always the possibility of side effects.

With that said, most people who get a tetanus shot will not experience any symptoms.

The most common side effects of a tetanus shot include:

Serious side effects are not common but may still occur in certain people.

Below, we list some of the more frequent side effects people may experience after a tetanus shot:

Pain at the injection site

The most common side effect is pain at the site of the injection. According to the CDC, this occurs in about eight in every 10 people. This pain is a person’s body having a mild reaction to the injection, and it should fade within a few days.

Redness or swelling

Some people may experience a slightly more intense reaction from the injection, causing their skin around the injection site to become red and swollen.

The CDC say that one in four people will experience redness or swelling. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for pain, including ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help.

Mild fever

Although it is rarer than the other common side effects, some people may develop a low-grade fever in response to the tetanus vaccine. The fever should subside without intervention, but, again, OTC medication may help ease symptoms.

Headache

Some people experience a headache after a tetanus injection. This side effect is usually nothing serious, and OTC drugs may help ease symptoms.

Tiredness or fatigue

People receiving a tetanus shot may feel tired or have general fatigue afterward. This is typically a response to the vaccination as the body pools its energy to build up its immunity.

The CDC estimate that one in four people will experience tiredness. It may be best for a person to let these symptoms run their course, and to get as much rest as possible.

Sore joints or chills

The Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, is sometimes given as an alternative to the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine and may also cause a person to experience sore joints or chills over their body.

The CDC estimates this may occur in about one in every 10 cases, but the symptoms usually do not interfere with everyday life. OTC medications may help in these cases as well.

Some side effects are classified as moderate, meaning they may interfere with someone’s daily activities, but they do not need medical intervention.

Fever

It is possible for people to experience a fever as a reaction to the tetanus vaccine. The CDC consider this a relatively rare occurrence, however.

Though the symptom may make someone feel unwell, they do not generally require medical attention. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest should help to speed up recovery.

Nevertheless, anyone with a fever that lasts more than a couple of days or who has signs of dehydration should seek medical attention.

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

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Some forms of the tetanus vaccine can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Some forms of the tetanus vaccine, such as the Tdap, may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The CDC estimate that one to three people in 100 will have moderate gastrointestinal symptoms after the Tdap vaccine.

The best course of action is to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and eat plain food to avoid aggravating the gastrointestinal system any further.

The symptoms will usually subside with time.

Rash or swollen glands

Occasionally, a person may develop a rash or other skin reaction from the tetanus shot. The glands in their body may swell up as a response to the injection. This side effect is not common and tends to go away on its own.

Swelling of the arm

Some people may experience more extensive swelling in the arm where they received the injection.

The CDC estimate that one in every 500 people may experience swelling of their entire arm after an injection of the Tdap vaccine. However, it describes this as a moderate effect, which does not typically need medical intervention.

Below are some more severe side effects that can result from the tetanus shot and may need medical attention.

Swelling and severe pain, redness, or bleeding

In rare cases, swelling, redness, and severe pain may occur after the injection. The skin may break and bleed as a response to the vaccine. This occurs around the injection site and requires medical attention.

Severe allergic reaction

There is also a rare possibility of a person having a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine. The CDC estimate that this form of reaction happens in less than one in every 1 million cases.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • itchy throat, feet, or hands
  • hives
  • swelling in the face, eyes, or airways
  • sudden severe fatigue
  • rapid heartbeat

The reaction would start to happen between a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the injection, and it requires immediate medical attention.

The tetanus vaccine does not cause autism.

While people express concerns about the potential for serious side effects from vaccines, this worry may come partly from misinformation. As the United States Department of Health and Human Services state, research shows vaccines do not lead to autism.

Medical researchers monitor vaccines constantly, and any evidence that linked vaccinations to severe disabilities or other health problems would lead to medical authorities taking swift safety measures.

There are several different types of tetanus shots available. Producers often package the tetanus shot with other similar vaccines, so that it works to prevent more than one type of disease. These vaccines may be as follows:

Tdap: The Tdap vaccine prevents tetanus, while also working to prevent diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough.

DTaP: The DTaP vaccine is the form doctors often use for very young children. It prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Td or DT: The Td and DT shots prevent tetanus and diphtheria, and doctors use these as tetanus booster shots. A period of 10 years is the longest a person should go without a tetanus booster.

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Anyone who has had severe pain after a previous tetanus vaccine should discuss their options with a doctor.

Some people should avoid the tetanus shot. Anyone who has ever had a severe allergic reaction to tetanus vaccines in the past should avoid having the tetanus shot again.

Most people get a tetanus shot as a child, and so it is helpful if people are aware of any reactions they had when they were young.

Anyone with experiences of serious complications from a childhood dose of the tetanus shot, such as seizures or a coma, should avoid the tetanus shot in the future.

People with certain conditions may also want to be wary when looking to get a tetanus shot and should talk to their doctor to discuss their options.

People should be cautious if they have ever had:

  • severe pain or swelling from a tetanus vaccine
  • seizures
  • nervous system conditions
  • Guillain Barre syndrome where the immune system attacks nerve cells

Some tetanus vaccines may pose a risk to the health of people with any of these concerns. Doctors can advise them on how they should take care to avoid the diseases a vaccine would protect against.

People should always discuss any health concerns or conditions they have with a doctor before having any vaccine.

Side effects of a tetanus shot are uncommon, mild, and usually go away on their own in a few days. Most people think the chances of having side effects are much smaller than the risks of conditions such as tetanus.

Rarely, people may have a severe reaction to the vaccines and should avoid them, but these reactions are not common. The tetanus shot is a safe and effective way to prevent tetanus and other dangerous diseases occurring in most cases.

Anyone with concerns about the vaccine or the possible side effects should talk to their doctor.