Tetanus Shot Side Effects: Reactions To The Vaccine

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SubscribeSide effects of the tetanus shot and boosterMedically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Jon Johnson and Bethany Grayland-Leech — Updated on March 21, 2025

• Side effects
• Moderate side effects
• Booster vaccine
• Autism
• When to contact a doctor
• Who should avoid
• Summary

The tetanus vaccine protects people who may come into contact with the bacteria that cause tetanus. As with any vaccine, the tetanus shot can lead to the possibility of some side effects.

Tetanus is a rare but potentially dangerous disease that causes stiffening and tightening of the muscles. Tetanus occurs due to the bacteria called Clostridium tetani, which is present in the environment such as manure, dust, and soil.

A person can contract tetanus when the bacteria enters the body through broken skin.

Mild side effects

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Vaccines are a type of medication and, just as with other medicines, there is always the possibility of side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most side effects are not serious and will resolve in 1 to 3 days.

The side effects a person might experience can vary depending on the type of vaccine. These vaccines may be as follows:

• DTaP: The DTaP vaccine is the form doctors often use for very young children. It prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
• Tdap: The Tdap vaccine prevents tetanus, while also working to prevent diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough.
• Td or DT: The Td and DT shots prevent tetanus and diphtheria.

Mild side effects include:

DTap	Td and Tdap
• swelling or soreness at the site of the injection• fever• irritability• fatigue• appetite loss• vomiting	• pain, swelling, and skin discoloration at the site of the injection• headache• fatigue• mild fever• nausea• vomiting• stomachache• diarrhea

Serious side effects are not common but may still occur in certain people.

More severe side effects

More serious side effects include:

• seizures, which affects about 1 in 14,000 children
• crying that lasts for 3 or more hours, which affects about 1 in 1,000 children
• high fever over 105°F, which affects about 1 in 16,000 children

After receiving a vaccination, people may experience dizziness. If a person experience dizziness, vision changes, or ringing in the ears, they should tell a healthcare professional.

In rare cases, the DTaP vaccine can cause the entire arm or leg to swell. Babies and young children will require up to five DTaP shots, and the swelling is more likely to happen after the child receives the fourth or fifth shot.

Severe allergic reaction

There is also a rare possibility of a person having a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine.

The reaction would start to happen between a few minutes to 1 hour after receiving the injection, and it requires immediate medical attention.

Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and what to do

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• wheezing
• fast, shallow breathing
• a fast heart rate
• clammy skin
• anxiety or confusion
• dizziness
• vomiting
• blue or white lips
• fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone has these symptoms:

1. Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
2. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
3. Assist the person in moving from a sitting position to lying down. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
4. Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.

Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5 to 15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.

Do tetantus booster vaccines cause side effects?

Healthcare professionals use the Tdap and Td vaccine as boosters.

It is possible to experience side effects after receiving a tetanus booster shot. If a person experiences side effects after receiving a booster shot, they will likely be the same as the side effects listed above.

Does the tetanus vaccine cause autism?

The tetanus vaccine does not cause autism.

While people express concerns about the potential for serious side effects from vaccines, this worry may come partly from misinformation. As the United States Department of Health and Human Services states, research shows vaccines do not lead to autism.

Medical researchers monitor vaccines constantly, and any evidence linking vaccinations to severe disabilities or other health problems would prompt medical authorities to take swift safety measures.

When to contact a doctor

Most side effects are mild and will resolve without treatment. A person can discuss potential side effects with a healthcare professional before getting the vaccine. A healthcare professional can also provide information on how best to manage these side effects.

A person should contact a doctor if they are concerned about any side effects they might be experiencing.

If a person develops severe side effects, such as an severe allergic reaction, they should contact the emergency services immediately.

Who should avoid tetanus shots?

People should avoid getting the tetanus vaccine if they:

• have a serious allergy to any of the ingredients used in the vaccine
• have previously had a serious reaction to the diphtheria, tetanus, or whooping cough vaccines

People with certain conditions may also want to be wary when looking to get a tetanus shot and should talk with their doctor to discuss their options. People should inform the doctor if they have ever had:

• severe pain or swelling from a tetanus vaccine
• seizures
• nervous system conditions
• Guillain Barre syndrome, where the immune system attacks nerve cells

Some tetanus vaccines may pose a risk to the health of people with any of these concerns. Doctors can advise them on how they should take care to avoid the diseases a vaccine would protect against.

People should always discuss any health concerns or conditions they have with a doctor before having any vaccine.

Summary

The side effects of a tetanus shot are uncommon and mild, and they usually go away on their own in a few days. Most people think the chances of having side effects are much smaller than the risks of conditions such as tetanus.

Rarely, people may have a severe reaction to the vaccines and should avoid them, but these reactions are not common. The tetanus shot is a safe and effective way to prevent tetanus and other dangerous diseases from occurring in most cases.

Anyone concerned about the vaccine or the possible side effects should talk with a doctor.

 

• Immune System / Vaccines
• Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine safety. (2025). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/dtap-tdap.html
• Dyer C. (2010). Lancet retracts Wakefield’s MMR paper. https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c696
• Tetanus. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/index.html
• Tetanus (lockjaw). (2021). https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/tetanus/index.html
• Tsai M-H, et al. (2023). Allergic reactions to vaccines in children: From constituents to specific vaccines. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9953196/
• Vaccine side effects. (2021).https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/safety/side-effects/index.html

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Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Jon Johnson and Bethany Grayland-Leech — Updated on March 21, 2025

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