What should you know about your last tetanus shot?

Tetanus bacteria can enter through broken skin, especially a deep, dirty, puncture or crush wound. Protection is built through vaccination and may need review after an injury. A missing record does not prove that vaccination was absent, but uncertainty should be discussed with a clinician, who can check available records and consider your history.

Tetanus is unrelated to whether a wound looks dramatic. A small puncture can still need assessment if it is contaminated or difficult to clean.

Rinse the wound with clean running water, remove visible dirt gently, and cover it with a clean dressing. Do not seal a deep or contaminated wound yourself. Contact a clinic promptly with the injury details and any vaccination information. Ask whether a booster or other preventive treatment is appropriate; the decision depends on the wound and prior immunisation.

Seek urgent medical care for a deep puncture, severe bleeding, a bite, a wound containing a foreign object, tissue damage, or an injury that cannot be cleaned. Get help quickly if redness, swelling, warmth, discharge, fever, jaw stiffness, painful muscle tightening or trouble swallowing develops.

Ask whether your record shows a complete primary course, whether this wound changes the recommendation, and where future vaccine dates will be recorded. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, immune conditions, allergies and medicines.