New tetanus shot

[ovsfarm]

It has been 10 years since we all got our last tetanus shots and since there is a chance dh might be laid off this summer, we are trying to get all the routine care we can now. So we obediently called in for appts. for new tetanus shots. I was informed that the Dr.'s office no longer provides just a tetanus shot. They have something called a TDaP now that is a combination of the tetanus, diptheria, and pertussus vaccines.

When I balked at being given vaccines I didn't want, the nurse was very short and told me to find another provider, but didn't think anyone was so old fashioned any more. Fine. I called the county health department and apparently they are old fashioned. We can go there for the shots.

I don't want to start yet another debate on vaccinations, but just wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you get hurt and have to get a tetanus shot, be prepared--they may well plan to give you more than you are asking for. BTW, at a higher price.

[AngieM2]

Thanks for letting us know about this.

Angie

[Cyngbaeld]

Those three have been given together for as long as I can remember. Perhaps they meant that their office doesn't give only the tet as a booster anymore. Whooping cough has been making a comeback, but I've not heard of anybody getting diphtheria in many yrs.

[Wisconsin Ann]

Your Doc may have changed their suppliers. In 2005 a new TDaP was licensed, so I expect the doc went with the new stuff.

They really should respect your right to say "NO" to medication. Sounds like that nurse needs a course in "patient's rights". It's not like there's a plethora of diphtheria cases around. Although, the diptheria shot has been given with the TT for decades.

[unregistered29228]

According to what we were told by the US Health Dept when we lived overseas, they don't give regular tetanus boosters anymore. If you step on a nail you get a booster, otherwise you let it go.

My daughter recent did something stupid and needed a tetanus shot, and the nurse at the walk-in clinic gave her a simple tetanus booster, although she recommended the TDap or whatever it's called. Pertussis, diptheria and tetanus combined. All my kids had the combined shots a couple of times during the baby shots.

If you can't get the shot you want/need, I don't blame you for going somewhere else.

[Cyngbaeld]

I've thought of buying it at the feed store, but never got around to checking dose or if it was ok for human use.

[manygoatsnmore]

For what it's worth, I'd go with the combined shot. Just because you don't see a lot of diphtheria now, doesn't mean it can't make a comeback. Just look at pertussis (whooping cough) - it is on the increase after years in decline. Just think of it as another form of prepping for TEOTWAWKI.

[ovsfarm]

We live on an old farm with tons of rusty, pokey, sharp items lurking the the barn and pasture shadows, waiting for us! So while I'm not too worried about diptheria exposure, I feel that the chances of our exposure to tetanus would be fairly high. For that reason, we keep our tetanus shots up to date, because it is inevitable that we would all need one anyway. Might as well get them when it's convenient and then I don't feel so nervous about treating so many of those cuts and punctures here at home.

And yes, the only option the Dr.'s office offered was the 3-in-one version of the shot, not three separate shots.

I am somewhat against both the combined vaccines and also several of the newer ones. I have been meaning to take some time in the near future to consider whether I want to have dd receive some of those we passed on during her infancy, due to the fact that the US could possibly become a 3rd world-type nation if TSHTF and diseases that are currently very rare could make a come back. But the bottom line is that we make our decisions regarding vaccines based on research and prayer, not by default based on whatever the pharmaceutical manufacturers are pushing these days. It may be time to find a new Dr.

[PrettyPaisley]

Originally Posted by manygoatsnmore

For what it's worth, I'd go with the combined shot. Just because you don't see a lot of diphtheria now, doesn't mean it can't make a comeback. Just look at pertussis (whooping cough) - it is on the increase after years in decline. Just think of it as another form of prepping for TEOTWAWKI.

Is it the same shot that's given to children? If so, one shot won't cut it-you'd need a series for maximum "benefit".

[Old_Grey_Mare]

I realized last summer that my last tetanus shot was over 10 years ago so I went to the local clinic. The nurse offered me the 3-in-one shot or a tetanus shot. I took the tetanus only.

The last time my hubby needed one he tried to get it through our health care provider clinic and they told him that he didn't need to get one every 10 years. They obviously hadn't seen all the rusty junk on our ranch! He got one at a health fair. Wierd!

[DaleK]

Since I cut myself on something rusty at least once a week, and something rusty and covered in manure every other week, my doctor has me getting tetanus boosters every 2 years just to be on the safe side.

[LamiPub]

Yep, it was time for my ten year tetanus shot a few years ago and the doctor's no longer had just the tetanus, I had to get the TDaP. I balked at first too. The nurse practioner was very nice though and not pushy. She said that the health dept still had the tet by itself if I wanted that. I decided to go ahead with the TDaP because I was there and hate goint to the doctor, regretted it later. I never got sick or felt bad with the tetanus. The TDaP made me feel run down, achy and "icky" for several days. I didn't like it at all.

[uyk7]

Sounds like that nurse needs a course in "patient's rights".

Unless you are a well-known politician or a millionaire you have no "patient's rights". They already limit your right to determine the medical care your children receive (or don't receive).


A few years ago there was a shortage of tetenus shots.


.

[ovsfarm]

I think this TDaP is different from the DTaP that children are given. More of a booster instead of the original series.

[Welshmom]

The last time I was in to get my tetanus booster, the nurse handed me a brochure on the shot while I was waiting. I read it, and it described allergic reactions to tetanus. I had been dreading getting this particular booster, since the last time I'd had one was really bad for me. High fever, extreme pain in my arm, redness and swelling in my whole upper arm for days, etc. I read it and realized that I'd had an allergic reaction, which is weird because I don't know of anything else that I am allergic to. I read on about potential side effects of necrotization of flesh at the injection site (ack!) for people who have an allergic reaction to the shot. NO thanks!

I talked to the nurse about it, and she agreed that I should not have the shot. But I work in a very high risk field, so I found out there is a tetanus immuno-globulin shot available for those who are allergic to the regular shot. I got that one, and it didn't phase me at all. It doesn't last as long, they say, so I need to get another each time I have a possible exposure, but that's okay with me. So anyone else out there with this issue, you have an alternative.

[Sharon]

Last time I got the TDaP; I had achy joints and felt "just not great" for months afterward. I've never had a problem with just T or the TD combo. The shot was being given to me as the paper was being handed to me about it. Too late to say I only wanted the T. Next time I'll make it very clear beforehand! Same thing happened at the eye doctor, they had me laid back in the chair and had the drops in my eyes before I could even say what are you doing. I didn't want them on that particular visit. I've learned to speak before the exams now. I guess that's part of being prepared; foresight!