Tetanus shots

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I work in a high school. In my state, a tetorifice booster is not yet required in the upper grades. This morning after a kid got a puncture wound from his desk, I got to thinking... If a student presents with a major wound, obviously I will call the parents regardless. For a minor laceration, does anyone call the parents if there is no documentation of a tetorifice shot in the last 10 years? Am I over thinking this? Any thoughts would be really appreciated.

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Yes, I would.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

The Tdap booster IS required in my state, but neither meningococcal nor HPV are.

I like to put an article in the parent's newsletter every now and then and every year I include something about recommended but not required vaccines for parents to consider/ask their providers about. You might consider something like this to encourage immunization for all, not just those injured.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Yes, I call and recommend a booster. Better safe than sorry and most parents appreciate it.

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Specializes in emergency room, TBI.

The other nice thing is you get a pertussis booster with the Tdap. Which is a great thing since there have been cases of whooping cough locally in the adult population, because adults do think of getting a booster unless they get cut!

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I had a 10th grader decide to pierce her lip in the girls bathroom with an earring post. It would not go in so her friend pushed it through her bottom lip and straight into her gum. Blood vereywhere, and they came running. She did not have a recent tetorifice, I "gently" encouraged the parents to get one.

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Omg, Donnacee! Kids can be so crazy! LOL.

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