Travel vaccine

Tetanus Vaccine

Tetanus is a serious infection caught when bacteria from soil or manure enter the body through a wound. It can't be passed between people, but it can be life-threatening. Making sure you're up to date before travel is a simple, important precaution — often as a combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster.

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Key facts

Who it's for

All travellers should be up to date, especially for adventurous or remote trips

Vaccination course

Usually given as a combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster (Td/IPV)

Booster

Consider if it's been over 10 years and you're travelling to a higher-risk area

Lifetime doses

A full UK course (5 doses) gives long-term protection

How it spreads

Bacteria in soil/manure entering through wounds (not person to person)

Please note

We do not provide post-injury (after a wound) tetanus treatment — go to A&E

Overview

Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria, which live in soil, dust and manure worldwide. The bacteria enter the body through cuts, grazes, puncture wounds or burns — it is not spread from person to person. The toxin affects the nerves and causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms, including the jaw (giving the name 'lockjaw').

Tetanus can be fatal, but it is very effectively prevented by vaccination. In the UK most people are protected through the routine childhood programme; for travel, the key is to make sure your cover is up to date, especially if you'll be somewhere that medical care could be harder to reach after an injury.

Risk areas

Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and the environment throughout the world, so the risk exists everywhere — including the UK. The main concern for travellers is having an injury in a place where prompt, reliable medical treatment may be difficult to access, which makes being up to date before you go particularly important.

Risk for travellers

Anyone can be exposed through a wound contaminated with soil or manure. Risk of serious illness is higher for travellers who are not up to date with their vaccinations and for those doing activities where cuts and grazes are likely — hiking, cycling, building or farm work, or adventurous travel — particularly in areas far from medical care. A booster is recommended if it has been more than 10 years since your last dose and you are travelling to a higher-risk area.

Signs & symptoms

Stiffness in the jaw muscles ('lockjaw')
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness and painful spasms in the neck, back and other muscles
Muscle spasms triggered by noise or touch
Fever and sweating
A fast heartbeat

Vaccine details

For travel, tetanus is usually given as a combined booster that also protects against diphtheria and polio (Td/IPV). A full UK course is five doses over your lifetime, which gives long-term protection; a booster is recommended if it's been more than 10 years since your last dose and you're heading to an area where medical care may be limited. We'll check your history and advise what you need at your appointment.

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*Note: We do not offer post-exposure (after a bite or scratch) Tetanus vaccination. Please contact the nearest A&E

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Who should have a tetanus booster?

Making sure your tetanus cover is up to date is sensible for any traveller, and especially if you are:

Travelling to a region where medical care may be hard to reach after an injury
Doing activities with a higher chance of cuts and wounds — hiking, cycling, farm or building work
More than 10 years on from your last tetanus-containing vaccine
Unsure of your vaccination history (we can advise on the safest approach)

The combined Td/IPV booster

For convenience, the travel booster usually combines tetanus, diphtheria and polio in a single injection (Td/IPV), since these are often due together and several countries recommend polio cover.

A full lifetime course is five doses; most adults who completed their childhood vaccinations need only a booster if it's been more than 10 years and they're travelling somewhere higher-risk. We'll confirm what you need from your records.

Possible side effects

Side effects are usually mild and settle within a day or two:

Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
Headache or tiredness
A mildly raised temperature
Serious reactions are very rare

If you get a wound abroad

Vaccination prevents tetanus, but wound care still matters. Please note we do not provide post-injury tetanus treatment — for that you should attend A&E or a local emergency service.

Clean any wound thoroughly with soap and running water
Seek medical attention for deep, dirty or puncture wounds, or animal bites
Tell medical staff when you were last vaccinated
Being up to date before travel means you're far less likely to need urgent treatment

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