- Diphtheria
- Vaccine Recommendations
- Pertussis
- Vaccine Recommendations
- Tetanus
- Vaccine Recommendations
My 7-year-old patient has had only 1 dose of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine at 11 months of age (a dose of DTaP). The catch-up schedule says he needs 3 additional doses of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (4 total). Why 4? If he were completely unvaccinated on the seventh birthday, he would only need a total of 3 doses.
If the first dose of a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine is administered before the first birthday, 4 doses are necessary before beginning the 10-year cycle of booster doses. If the first dose is administered after the first birthday, 3 doses are necessary. The final dose should be spaced 6 months from the previous dose.
Last reviewed:
March 31, 2022