Tetanus shots: Is it risky to receive 'extra' boosters?

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What happens if you get tetorifice shots too close together-within a few years instead of the recommended 10 years? I need one before starting college. :unsure:

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Specializes in Pedi.

We are not allowed to give medical advice on this site. Only your doctor or your school's health center can advise you on the vaccinations you need before starting college.

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sorry, I wasn't asking for advice about needing a tetorifice shot. It's just a general question about the danger of having a tetorifice shot within a certain period. I will talk to a health center in the next few days. Thanks.

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Ok, this isn't advice on what anyone should or shouldn't do, but I'll share what I recently learned when researching this very question for a doctor in my office.

The tetorifice vaccination is considered fully effective for five years, and then it begins to wane, until the time to receive a booster at ten years' post previous injection.

If after the first five years one has an injury that would make one think of tetorifice, it's recommended to get the booster at that time--it will have been at least five years, but before ten.

If one receives a booster "early", then the new time frame starts with that injection. You do not have one at say six years after the first, and then only four years later "just because". You'd wait until either you needed the ten-year booster OR you had another accident more than five years down the road again.

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Thank you, You answered my question. I appreciate your time and sharing with me.

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My school is saying I need proof of 3 tetorifice shots. I had one in 2011 for my CNA class and figured that would suffice since it's good through 2021. Well, once again I was told I needed 3 shots (one within the last 10 years) so I went ahead and had one last month since I was already there to re-do my Hep B series (my titer came back negative). Now I'm thinking enough is enough; I don't see why I would need another tetorifice? It seems silly to get another tetorifice shot this month just to get my 3 shots done before school starts.

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.
My school is saying I need proof of 3 tetorifice shots. I had one in 2011 for my CNA class and figured that would suffice since it's good through 2021. Well, once again I was told I needed 3 shots (one within the last 10 years) so I went ahead and had one last month since I was already there to re-do my Hep B series (my titer came back negative). Now I'm thinking enough is enough; I don't see why I would need another tetorifice? It seems silly to get another tetorifice shot this month just to get my 3 shots done before school starts.

Who at your school told you needed 3 tetorifice shots? I've never heard of that. What's the reasoning behind that? They sound misinformed.

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I can see needing 3 of the other vaccines in the Tdap series but it seems silly for just tetorifice. According to Employee Health (my school is affiliated with a hospital system), I need 3 in my records. I'm not going to get another one unless they call me on it.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
My school is saying I need proof of 3 tetorifice shots. I had one in 2011 for my CNA class and figured that would suffice since it's good through 2021. Well, once again I was told I needed 3 shots (one within the last 10 years) so I went ahead and had one last month since I was already there to re-do my Hep B series (my titer came back negative). Now I'm thinking enough is enough; I don't see why I would need another tetorifice? It seems silly to get another tetorifice shot this month just to get my 3 shots done before school starts.
Maybe they're talking about the Hepatitis B vax series??? It's the 3 injections...
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