I was supposed to get a tetanus shot today as I have not had one in about 38 years. My new PCP really wanted me to get one due to the additional protection from the whooping cough. I know it is dangerous for babies to be exposed to the whooping cough.. But I am not around babies and I figure if I cut myself or step on a nail, I can get one then. I clearly remember my shot in 7th grade. I ended up with a red, sore, hot shoulder for several days. Am I being a wimp? When was your last tetanus shot?

Probably the same as you.......about 38 years ago! I will avoid a shot at all costs. And to think I used to give myself one every day!! The Beta shots are not IM so they're not anything like a tetanus shot.

I remember my sister having to get one after she stepped on a thumb tack. I went with my Mom and sister to the Health Dept. and they gave it to her there. I screamed.....cried louder than I ever knew I could....and I wasn't even the one getting the shot! I remember the nurse and my sister laughing at me! Note: I was only about 6.....

Tetanus shots leave such a lasting reminder. I'm like you.....I'll get one if/when I need one.

me too! I havent had one in decades. I REFUSE to get more vaccines unless I am standing eye to eye with the need for one. I had such a bizarre reaction to the hepatitis vaccine, that I have since avoided them.

You dont stand alone on that one. If I get cut on a rusty nail, then we can talk, till then, lets not tick off my immune system.

Just got one a month or so ago at my physical with my PCP. It didn't hurt as bad as the last time I got one, years ago when I cut myself. I was a bit sore the next few days but nothing that will keep me from getting one in the future. I looked at it as - at least this was one shot I didn't have to give to myself!

A tetanus booster would not protect against whooping cough.

It is for exposure to TETANUS...from a wound or trauma involving penetrating dirty implements.

Whooping cough is Pertussis, which is a contagious upper respiratory disease.

Over the years I've seen people on boards complain of side effects from tetanus shots/boosters. I would seriously consider your risk at this time. If you get a penetrating wound/gun shot, or some stab in the garden, then I would consider a booster.

I am not a fan of vaccines unless you really really need them.

I think my last tetanus shot was probably in 1997 when my dog TinyMonsters put his claw thru my eyelid. (I was climbing up the stairs, bent over to pet the dog, he put his foot up and I bumped my face into his toes)

Stupid doctors kept asking me why the dog bit me. Kept telling them he didnt bite me, he had put his foot up and accidentally got me in the eyeball. (the injury was a scratched cornea, and scratch on my eyelid)

They made me get a tetanus shot because I couldnt get anyone to believe me that it wasnt a bite, but a scratch. This was after I had mono in 1996, and just before I can remember my first vertigo attack that I think was my first probable MS attack.

They're giving TdaP as boosters now, which means that you will get the pertussis vax as well as tetanus.

I'm with Dejibo-- "If I get cut on a rusty nail, then we can talk, till then, lets not tick off my immune system."

If you do a search for the CDC's Pink Book you can get the details on the disease itself and the vaccine, and see if you feel the risk of the diseases outweigh the risk of the shots. I'm not even convinced the risk of the TdaP/DTaP is worth it even for my kids to be honest (we actually pulled my son off the DTaP schedule and he gets pertussis free tetanus shots after he had some seizure-like behavior post vaccine).

I did the tetanus and whooping cough shot 6 months ago and I am convinced that it somehow contributed to how crappy I have felt the last 6 months. DOnt do it.

I am sure it's Ok Barb.

I've had several shots over the years for various reasons.

-pencil point into my wrist by another small child (3rd grade at the time)

- stepped on a rusty nail

- cut by a knife while slicing a coconut

- fell and twisted my toe while cleaning a bathroom (the toe nail had to be pulled)

- cat bite

I'm now overdue for one. I don't look forward to getting one.

Every time --- my arm grows the size of the Hindenburg, I get a fever over 103 and it hurts.

The last time, the nurse said "most people don't get a reaction" I said, "I will and I'll give you a call when it happens."

A day later I called and told her... she gasped.


Niko