Why Does the Government Recommend Vaccination for Tetanus?
Tetanus is a serious disease characterized by painful tightening of the muscles in the body. A common – and dangerous symptom of tetanus is “lockjaw,” which can prevent the victim from opening his or her mouth or swallowing. Due to these and other symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that tetanus has a fatality rate of approximately 10 percent.
Since tetanus can be fatal even with prompt medical treatment, the CDC recommends that everyone be vaccinated against tetanus (with limited exceptions, such as for individuals with prior allergic reactions to tetanus vaccines).
About Tetanus Vaccination
For infants and children, the tetanus vaccine is typically administered in a series of five injections. Young children typically receive tetanus shots at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months, and four to six years of age. For teens and adults, the CDC recommends booster shots at least every 10 years.
Tetanus Vaccines Used in the United States
Many tetanus vaccines are combined with the vaccines for acellular pertussis, pertussis and diphtheria. As a result, they are commonly referred to by the acronyms: DTaP, Tdap, Td and DTP. In these acronyms, upper-case letters denote a full-strength dose of the vaccine (so, all four forms include a full-strength dose of the tetanus vaccine), while lower-case letters signify a reduced dose used in teen and adult formulations of booster shots.
Some forms of tetanus and Td vaccines do not have brand names. However, there are numerous brand-name DTaP, Tdap, Td and DTP vaccines as well. The brand-name tetanus vaccines currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:
- Adacel
- Boostrix
- DAPTACEL
- DECAVAC
- Infanrix
- KINRIX
- Pediarix
- Pentacel
- Quadracel
- TENIVAC
- Tripedia
Have You Experienced Shoulder Pain After Receiving a Tetanus Vaccine?
Since tetanus vaccines are administered by injection, individuals who get vaccinated run the risk of suffering shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, known as “SIRVA.” This injury can occur when the person administering the vaccine makes a mistake, such as injecting the patient too high on the shoulder or too low on the arm. There are numerous vaccinations that can result in SIRVA, and since these injuries result from the improper administration of a vaccine and not the contents of the vaccination itself, individuals receiving tetanus, DTaP, Tdap, Td and DTP are all equally at risk for receiving a SIRVA injury.
Contact the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery about Your Tetanus Vaccine Injury
At the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery, we focus exclusively on helping individuals recovering from SIRVA injuries to seek and obtain compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP provides a no-fault, no-cost alternative, for vaccine injury victims to recoup their expenses and obtain financial compensation for their other losses. If you or a loved one has experienced shoulder pain after being vaccinated for tetanus, contact a vaccine lawyer at the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery to discuss the possibility of filing a claim.
Located blocks away from the federal court that adjudicates all vaccine claims, the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery is located in Washington DC. To learn more information about your rights and whether compensation may be available for you, contact the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery to schedule a free consultation today.