How Much Does Tetanus Vaccine Cost

Patients are given a tetanus vaccine, also known as tetanus toxoid, to prevent infection with Clostridium tetani, a bacteria. Tetanus bacteria are present everywhere, including manure, soil, and even dust, contrary to popular belief that it can only be contracted through contact with rusted metals.

To prevent neonatal tetanus, tetanus toxoid is also given to people living with HIV/AIDS and pregnant women. Diphtheria infections can also be prevented by using it.

Tetanus Vaccine Average Costs

A tetanus vaccine typically costs between $10 and $100. This is dependent on the vaccine combination, your location, and whether or not you are covered by health insurance.

Meanwhile, each dose of a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine can cost anywhere between $30 and $90. The Tdap vaccine by Boostrix is $42.99 at Costco.

These are the prices of tetanus vaccines per brand, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Pediatric

• Tenivac® (Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids) – $36.14
• TDVAX™ (Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids) – $25.876
• Boostrix® (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis) – $43.561
• Adacel® (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis) – $48.14

 Adult

• TDVAX™ (Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids) – $25.876

• Adacel® (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis) – $48.14
• Boostrix® (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis) – $43.561

Please take note that these are private sector prices for the vaccine alone and the service for actual injection being charged in clinics and hospitals may not be included.

Without Health Insurance

Without insurance, how much does a tetanus shot cost? Tetanus vaccines typically cost $25 to $100 for patients without health insurance.

The tetanus vaccine is usually purchased in flat fees that include both the vaccine and the shot administration fee. Some examples can be found below:

• Tennessee-based The Shot Nurse offers a Tetanus/Diphtheria Vaccine for $50, while the TDaP costs $70.

• Illinois-based Walgreens provides Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine for $57.99 and Tdap for $74.99.
• Rhode Island-based CVS Pharmacy has DTaP for $105, Td for $90, and Tdap vaccine for $75.

With Health Insurance

Tetanus vaccines will be more affordable if you have health insurance. The tetanus vaccine cost in this case usually includes a copay of $10 to $40 for the physician and another copay for the tetanus vaccination.

Explained: Tetanus Infection and Vaccine

Lockjaw and muscle spasms are symptoms of tetanus infection. A diphtheria infection, on the other hand, affects the respiratory system, and both of these infections can be fatal if they are not treated promptly.

As previously stated, people can get a tetanus vaccination, which comes in a variety of combinations, such as diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, to protect them from potentially fatal infections.

Here are some examples of common tetanus vaccine combinations:

• DTap and Tdap are combinations of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines
• DT and Td contain diphtheria and tetanus vaccine

Lowercase letters d and p denote lower levels of diphtheria and pertussis, respectively. The DTaP and DT vaccines are given to children under the age of seven, while the Tdap and Td vaccines are given to patients aged seven and up, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Administration of Tetanus Vaccines

Tetanus vaccines are most commonly given to children when they are young. Adults, on the other hand, may be subjected to such vaccinations, particularly when travelling to new places or, in the case of women, when they are pregnant.

Aside from knowing how much a tetanus shot costs and other fees, it’s also important to know when these vaccines are given to kids.

When children are younger than seven years old, they receive their first tetanus immunization. It is made up of five tetanus vaccine doses, administered in the following order:

• The first three doses are DT and DTaP vaccines, which are intramuscularly administered at intervals of four to eight weeks.
• The fourth DTaP dose is ideally given when the child reaches 15 to 20 months. But before this dose is given, the child must wait at least six months after the third dose is administered.
• The fifth DTaP dose should be given when the child is already between four and six years old.

Tetanus Vaccine Adverse Effects

Tetanus vaccines are generally considered to be risk-free. In fact, the vast majority of those who receive them report no serious problems as a result of their use. It does not, however, have any negative side effects, which are minor and will fade away over time.

The following are examples of minor effects:

• Pain and redness at the vaccination site. However, these only account for 25% to 85% of the patients.
• Less than 1% of the patients experience fever, fatigue, as well as, minor muscle and joint pains.
• Nausea, itching, and swelling are also reported after the vaccination.

What Are The Red Flags?

As stated, these mild side effects go away eventually even without medical intervention. However, if these side effects persist, then, it’s time to see your physician.

If the following very rare but significantly serious side effects occur, you should not wait for them to subside on their own because they may never will without compromising your overall well-being. Head over to your doctor or hospital immediately.

• hearing problems
• muscle weakness
• tingling of the feet and/or hands
• trouble in swallowing

Reportedly, one in 100,000 patients suffers from a severe allergic reaction, but this is a very rare case for tetanus vaccines. However, the best way to prevent such occurrence is to seek advice from a doctor right away, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions to any food and drugs before.

Some signs and symptoms to watch out for are the following:

• presence of rashes
• itching or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing