Side Effects of the Tetanus Shot
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
Possible Side effects from Vaccines
Any vaccine can cause side effects. For the most part these are minor (for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever) and go away within a few days. Listed below are vaccines licensed in the United States and side effects that have been associated with each of them. This information is copied directly from CDC’s Vaccine Information Statements (VISs), which in turn are derived from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for each vaccine.
Remember, vaccines are continually monitored for safety, and like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects. However, a decision not to immunize a child also involves risk and could put the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a potentially deadly disease.
Regularly Recommended Vaccines
DTaP vaccine side effects (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis)
What are the risks from DTaP vaccine?
- Soreness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, fussiness, feeling tired, loss of appetite, and vomiting sometimes happen after DTaP vaccination.
- More serious reactions, such as seizures, non-stop crying for 3 hours or more, or high fever (over 105°F) after DTaP vaccination happen much less often. Rarely, vaccination is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg, especially in older children when they receive their fourth or fifth dose.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the DTaP VIS.
In the U.S., healthcare spending accounts for 17.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or the total value of goods and services produced by the entire nation for the entire year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Hepatitis A vaccine side effects
What are the risks from hepatitis A vaccine?
- Soreness or redness where the shot is given, fever, headache, tiredness, or loss of appetite can happen after hepatitis A vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Hepatitis A VIS.
Hepatitis B vaccine side effects
What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?
- Soreness where the shot is given or fever can happen after hepatitis B vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Hepatitis B VIS.
Hib vaccine side effects
What are the risks from Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine?
- Redness, warmth, and swelling where the shot is given and fever can happen after Hib vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Hib VIS.
HPV-Gardasil-9 vaccine side effects (Human Papillomavirus Gardasil-9 vaccine)
What are the risks from HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine?
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is given can happen after HPV vaccination.
- Fever or headache can happen after HPV vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
Influenza (inactivated) vaccine side effects
What are the risks from inactivated influenza vaccine?
- Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, fever, muscle aches, and headache can happen after influenza vaccination.
- There may be a very small increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after inactivated influenza vaccine (the flu shot).
Young children who get the flu shot along with pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) and/or DTaP vaccine at the same time might be slightly more likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Tell your health care provider if a child who is getting flu vaccine has ever had a seizure.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Inactivated Influenza VIS.
Influenza (live) vaccine side effects
What are the risks from LAIV?
- Runny nose or nasal congestion, wheezing, and headache can happen after LAIV vaccination.
- Vomiting, muscle aches, fever, sore throat, and cough are other possible side effects.
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and are mild and short-lived.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the LAIV VIS.
MMR vaccine side effects (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
What are the risks from MMR vaccine?
- Sore arm from the injection or redness where the shot is given, fever, and a mild rash can happen after MMR vaccination.
- Swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck or temporary pain and stiffness in the joints (mostly in teenage or adult women) sometimes occur after MMR vaccination.
- More serious reactions happen rarely. These can include seizures (often associated with fever) or temporary low platelet count that can cause unusual bleeding or bruising.
- In people with serious immune system problems, this vaccine may cause an infection that may be life-threatening. People with serious immune system problems should not get MMR vaccine.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the MMR VIS.
MMRV vaccine side effects (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella)
What are the risks from MMRV vaccine?
- Sore arm from the injection, redness where the shot is given, fever, and a mild rash can happen after MMRV vaccination.
- Swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck or temporary pain and stiffness in the joints sometimes occur after MMRV vaccination.
- Seizures, often associated with fever, can happen after MMRV vaccine. The risk of seizures is higher after MMRV than after separate MMR and varicella vaccines when given as the first dose of the two-dose series in younger children. Your health care provider can advise you about the appropriate vaccines for your child.
- More serious reactions happen rarely, including temporary low platelet count, which can cause unusual bleeding or bruising.
- In people with serious immune system problems, this vaccine may cause an infection that may be life-threatening. People with serious immune system problems should not get MMRV vaccine.
If a person develops a rash after MMRV vaccination, it could be related to either the measles or the varicella component of the vaccine. The varicella vaccine virus could be spread to an unprotected person. Anyone who gets a rash should stay away from infants and people with a weakened immune system until the rash goes away. Talk with your health care provider to learn more.
Some people who are vaccinated against chickenpox get shingles (herpes zoster) years later. This is much less common after vaccination than after chickenpox disease.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the MMRV VIS.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccine side effects
What are the risks from meningococcal vaccines?
- Redness or soreness where the shot is given can happen after meningococcal ACWY vaccination.
- A small percentage of people who receive meningococcal ACWY vaccine experience muscle pain, headache, or tiredness.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Meningococcal ACWY VIS.
Meningococcal B vaccine side effects
What are the risks from meningococcal vaccines?
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is given, tiredness, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, fever, chills, nausea, or diarrhea can happen after meningococcal B vaccination. Some of these reactions occur in more than half of the people who receive the vaccine.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Meningococcal B VIS.
PCV vaccine side effects (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
What are the risks from PCV?
- Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness where the shot is given, and fever, loss of appetite, fussiness (irritability), feeling tired, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills can happen after pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.
Young children may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever after PCV13 if it is administered at the same time as inactivated influenza vaccine. Ask your health care provider for more information.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) VIS.
PPSV23 vaccine side effects (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide)
What are the risks from PPSV?
- Redness or pain where the shot is given, feeling tired, fever, or muscle aches can happen after PPSV23.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide VIS.
Polio vaccine side effects
- A sore spot with redness, swelling, or pain where the shot is given can happen after polio vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the IPV VIS.
Rabies vaccine side effects
What are the risks from rabies vaccine?
- Soreness, redness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection, and headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, or dizziness can happen after rabies vaccine.
- Hives, pain in the joints, or fever sometimes happen after booster doses.
- Very rarely, nervous system disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have been reported after rabies vaccine.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Rabies VIS.
Rotavirus vaccine side effects
What are the risks from rotavirus vaccine?
- Irritability or mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting can happen after rotavirus vaccine.
Intussusception is a type of bowel blockage that is treated in a hospital and could require surgery. It happens naturally in some infants every year in the United States, and usually there is no known reason for it. There is also a small risk of intussusception from rotavirus vaccination, usually within a week after the first or second vaccine dose. This additional risk is estimated to range from about 1 in 20,000 U.S. infants to 1 in 100,000 U.S. infants who get rotavirus vaccine. Your health care provider can give you more information.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Rotavirus VIS.
Td vaccine (Adult Tetanus & Diphtheria)
What are the risks from Td vaccine?
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache sometimes happen after Td vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Td VIS.
Tdap vaccine (Combined Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)
What are the risks from Tdap vaccine?
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, feeling tired, and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache sometimes happen after Tdap vaccination.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
This information is based on the Tdap VIS.
Side Effects of the Tetanus Shot
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About the tetanus shot
Tetanus is a serious disease that’s caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani (C. tetani).
C. tetani lives in soil and manure. It usually enters your body through an open wound. A toxin that’s produced by the bacterium causes the disease, also referred to as lockjaw.
Although rare in the United States, 1 in 10 people who contract it die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .
The tetanus vaccine helps protect against tetanus. The vaccine that you get for tetanus can also contain components to prevent contracting certain other serious bacterial diseases, such as diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).
The different tetanus vaccine formulations are as follows:
- DTaP. This vaccine prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It’s used for children younger than 7 years old.
- Tdap. This vaccine prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It’s used for older children and adults.
- DT and Td. These prevent tetanus and diphtheria. DT is given to younger children, while Td is typically given to older children and adults.
There are some mild side effects to any of the tetanus vaccines. These side effects are common to all types of tetanus shot. Most of these side effects are signs that your body is responding to build immunity against the disease.
Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
Pain at the injection site is one of the most common side effects from receiving the tetanus vaccine. According to the CDC, it occurs in 2 in 3 adults that receive the Tdap vaccine. This should subside in a few days.
If pain or swelling is causing you discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) to help.
Fever
People receiving the tetanus vaccine can experience a mild fever of up to 100.4ºF (38ºC) following vaccination.
If you experience a mild fever following tetanus vaccination, OTC medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen can help.
Headache or other body aches
You may experience a headache or various aches and pains throughout your body after your tetanus vaccination. These side effects should subside shortly.
You can take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for aches.
Tiredness
You may feel tired or drowsy following your tetanus vaccination. This is a completely common side effect. Like many of the previously listed side effects, it’s a sign that your body and immune system are working hard to build up immunity.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is considered a mild side effect of the Tdap vaccine. The CDC estimates 1 in 10 adults receiving the Tdap vaccine will experience this side effect.
If you experience this, be sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid foods that could further upset your stomach.
Buy OTC pain medication here.
What are the side effects of the tetanus shot?
Tetanus is a rare but potentially dangerous disease that causes stiffening and tightening of the muscles. The tetanus vaccine protects people who may come into contact with the bacteria that cause the disease. As with any vaccine, it can lead to the possibility of some side effects.
Tetanus occurs as a result of a bacterial infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tetanus kills one out of every ten people who contract the disease.
The bacteria that cause tetanus may be most common in substances such as dust, soil, or manure. They often enter the body through injuries that include scratches or cuts.
Vaccines are a type of medication and, just as with other medicines, there is always the possibility of side effects.
With that said, most people who get a tetanus shot will not experience any symptoms.
The most common side effects of a tetanus shot include:
- redness and swelling at injection site
- body aches
- fever
- a headache
- tiredness or feeling weak
Serious side effects are not common but may still occur in certain people.
Below, we list some of the more frequent side effects people may experience after a tetanus shot:
Pain at the injection site
The most common side effect is pain at the site of the injection. According to the CDC, this occurs in about eight in every 10 people. This pain is a person’s body having a mild reaction to the injection, and it should fade within a few days.
Redness or swelling
Some people may experience a slightly more intense reaction from the injection, causing their skin around the injection site to become red and swollen.
The CDC say that one in four people will experience redness or swelling. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for pain, including ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help.
Mild fever
Although it is rarer than the other common side effects, some people may develop a low-grade fever in response to the tetanus vaccine. The fever should subside without intervention, but, again, OTC medication may help ease symptoms.
Headache
Some people experience a headache after a tetanus injection. This side effect is usually nothing serious, and OTC drugs may help ease symptoms.
Tiredness or fatigue
People receiving a tetanus shot may feel tired or have general fatigue afterward. This is typically a response to the vaccination as the body pools its energy to build up its immunity.
The CDC estimate that one in four people will experience tiredness. It may be best for a person to let these symptoms run their course, and to get as much rest as possible.
Sore joints or chills
The Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, is sometimes given as an alternative to the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine and may also cause a person to experience sore joints or chills over their body.
The CDC estimates this may occur in about one in every 10 cases, but the symptoms usually do not interfere with everyday life. OTC medications may help in these cases as well.
Some side effects are classified as moderate, meaning they may interfere with someone’s daily activities, but they do not need medical intervention.
Fever
It is possible for people to experience a fever as a reaction to the tetanus vaccine. The CDC consider this a relatively rare occurrence, however.
Though the symptom may make someone feel unwell, they do not generally require medical attention. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest should help to speed up recovery.
Nevertheless, anyone with a fever that lasts more than a couple of days or who has signs of dehydration should seek medical attention.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Share on Pinterest Some forms of the tetanus vaccine can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Some forms of the tetanus vaccine, such as the Tdap, may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The CDC estimate that one to three people in 100 will have moderate gastrointestinal symptoms after the Tdap vaccine.
The best course of action is to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and eat plain food to avoid aggravating the gastrointestinal system any further.
The symptoms will usually subside with time.
Rash or swollen glands
Occasionally, a person may develop a rash or other skin reaction from the tetanus shot. The glands in their body may swell up as a response to the injection. This side effect is not common and tends to go away on its own.
Swelling of the arm
Some people may experience more extensive swelling in the arm where they received the injection.
The CDC estimate that one in every 500 people may experience swelling of their entire arm after an injection of the Tdap vaccine. However, it describes this as a moderate effect, which does not typically need medical intervention.
Below are some more severe side effects that can result from the tetanus shot and may need medical attention.
Swelling and severe pain, redness, or bleeding
In rare cases, swelling, redness, and severe pain may occur after the injection. The skin may break and bleed as a response to the vaccine. This occurs around the injection site and requires medical attention.
Severe allergic reaction
There is also a rare possibility of a person having a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine. The CDC estimate that this form of reaction happens in less than one in every 1 million cases.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- itchy throat, feet, or hands
- hives
- swelling in the face, eyes, or airways
- sudden severe fatigue
- rapid heartbeat
The reaction would start to happen between a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the injection, and it requires immediate medical attention.
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 state, research shows vaccines do not lead to autism.
Medical researchers monitor vaccines constantly, and any evidence that linked vaccinations to severe disabilities or other health problems would lead to medical authorities taking swift safety measures.
There are several different types of tetanus shots available. Producers often package the tetanus shot with other similar vaccines, so that it works to prevent more than one type of disease. These vaccines may be as follows:
Tdap: The Tdap vaccine prevents tetanus, while also working to prevent diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough.
DTaP: The DTaP vaccine is the form doctors often use for very young children. It prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Td or DT: The Td and DT shots prevent tetanus and diphtheria, and doctors use these as tetanus booster shots. A period of 10 years is the longest a person should go without a tetanus booster.
Share on Pinterest Anyone who has had severe pain after a previous tetanus vaccine should discuss their options with a doctor.
Some people should avoid the tetanus shot. Anyone who has ever had a severe allergic reaction to tetanus vaccines in the past should avoid having the tetanus shot again.
Most people get a tetanus shot as a child, and so it is helpful if people are aware of any reactions they had when they were young.
Anyone with experiences of serious complications from a childhood dose of the tetanus shot, such as seizures or a coma, should avoid the tetanus shot in the future.
People with certain conditions may also want to be wary when looking to get a tetanus shot and should talk to their doctor to discuss their options.
People should be cautious 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.
Side effects of a tetanus shot are uncommon, mild, and 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 occurring in most cases.
Anyone with concerns about the vaccine or the possible side effects should talk to their doctor.
Last medically reviewed on November 23, 2018
- Immune System / Vaccines
- Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccine: What everyone should know. (2016, November 22)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/public/index.html - Td (tetanus, diphtheria) VIS. (2018, May 17)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/td.html - Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) VIS. (2018, July 11)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/tdap.html - Tetanus: Protect your family with vaccines. (2018, June 25)
https://www.cdc.gov/features/tetanus/index.html - Vaccine side effects. (2017, December)
https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/safety/side_effects/index.html
