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Is Tetanus Shot Required After Injury From A Rusty Staple?

Posted on Mon, 28 Sep 2015

Question: I am 42 years old. I had the primary tetanus shots when I was a child in the 1970s. I received only one booster of TDAP on 12/10/10 (almost 5 years ago). I sustained a minor skin injury when I backed into a rusty staple sticking out of wood shelving in my garage with my head. Since I am still within 5 years, am I protected from a dirty wound or should I get an updated vaccine just to be safe since the 5 year interval is coming up in 3 months. Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Booster should be given

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Tetanus toxoid booster or Tdap is a safe vaccine. Based on your history and description, I would have recommended a booster shot, if I were your doctor. Even though you are within the protective range, individual protection rates, efficacy of vaccine, administration method, cold chain factors are somewhat difficult to be sure about a vaccine administered 5 years back. to be on the safe side if a coverage period is ending its close one should get the booster shot and a hard and fast rule of exact period should be relaxed to accommodate individualized treatment preference.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar