The tetanus vaccine is a shot that protects you against the disease tetanus. Tetanus is caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. These bacteria live everywhere in the outdoor environment, especially the soil. The bacteria can enter your body through a break in the skin, such as a cut. Tetanus is often fatal, particularly to older adults and young children.
Powerful poisons produced by the bacteria cause the muscles to contract uncontrollably in spasms.
Tetanus is also called lockjaw because the most common symptom is tightening of the jaw muscles. After childhood a booster shot for diphtheria and tetanus is needed every 10 years. It is important to check the date of your last booster whenever you have a dirty cut, animal bite, or puncture wound. If you do not know when your last booster was, it is best to get another shot. If you are not immunized, the bacteria multiply quickly if they become trapped in your body under a wound that has healed over.