Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against tetanus and diphtheria. For adults, a combination shot, called a Td booster, protects against both tetanus and diphtheria. You need a Td shot every 10 years through-out life to protect yourself against these rare, but dangerous, illnesses. It's particularly important to have a booster shot if you have a severe cut or puncture wound and haven't had a booster in the past 5 to 10 years. The Td vaccine is safe and effective.
Most people have no problems with it.
When side effects do occur, they usually are minor and include soreness, redness, or swelling on the arm where the shot was given. It is spread easily through the air by infected people when they sneeze or cough. The disease also spreads through contact with an infected person's chickenpox sores. People who have never had chickenpox can get infected just by being in the room with someone who has the disease. While chickenpox is a mild disease for children, adults usually get much sicker.