Diphtheria and Tetanus (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Diptheria and Tetanus

Tetanus »

Tetanus facts

Tetanus is frequently a fatal infectious disease.
Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria (Clostridium tetani).
The tetanus bacteria often enter the body through a puncture wound, which can be caused by nails, splinters, insect bites, burns, any skin break, and injection-drug sites.
All children and adults should be immunized against tetanus by receiving vaccinations.
A tetanus booster is needed every 10 years after primary immunization or after a puncture or other skin wound which could provide the tetanus bacteria an opportunity to enter the body.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is an acute, often-fatal disease of the nervous system that is caused by nerve toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is found throughout the world in the soil and in animal and human intestines.

Where do tetanus bacteria ...

Read the Tetanus article »

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Diphtheria and Tetanus

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Prior to administration of DT, health-care personnel should inform the parent or guardian of the patient the benefits and risks of immunization, and also inquire about the recent health status of the patient to be injected.

As part of the child's permanent immunization record, the date, lot number and manufacturer of the vaccine administered MUST be recorded.^11,12,13

The health-care provider should inform the parent or guardian of the patient about the potential for adverse reactions that have been temporally associated with DT administration. The parent or guardian should be instructed to report any serious adverse reactions to their health-care provider.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WHEN THE CHILD RETURNS FOR THE NEXT DOSE IN THE SERIES,THAT THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE PATIENT SHOULD BE QUESTIONED CONCERNING OCCURRENCE OF ANY SYMPTOMS AND/OR SIGNS OF AN ADVERSE REACTION AFTER PREVIOUS DOSE (see CONTRAINDICATIONS; ADVERSE REACTIONS sections).

The health-care provider should inform the parent or guardian of the patient the importance of completing the immunization series.

The health-care provider should provide the Vaccine Information Materials (VIMs) which are required to be given with each immunization.

REFERENCES

11.CDC.Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System United States. MMWR 39:730-733,1990

12.CDC. National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act: requirements for permanent vaccination records and for reporting of selected events after vaccination. MMWR 37:197-200,1988

13.Food and Drug Administration. New reporting requirements for vaccine adverse events. FDA Drug Bull 18 (2),16-18,1988

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/8/2006
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.