Complete a three-shot series if you were not given the vaccine during childhood. The second shot is given 4 to 8 weeks after the first, and the third shot is given 6 to 12 months after that. You then need a booster shot every 10 years. You can get a tetanus shot at your doctor's office or at most local health departments. Side effects from the shot can include temporary soreness and swelling in the arm where you got the shot.
Fever is rare.
However, you can have the shot if you have a mild cold or other minor illness. If you are sick, you might want to discuss your illness with your doctor before getting the shot. You can also get information from your local health department. Written by Carolyn Norrgard, RNC, BA, MEd, and Carol Matheis-Kraft, PhD, RNC, for McKessonHBOC Clinical Reference Systems. Published by McKessonHBOC Clinical Reference Systems.