New Study Suggests We Don't Actually Need a
Tetanus Booster Every 10 Years
HEALTH
18 April 2016
By FIONA MACDONALD
For now, doctors in most countries still advise boosters every 10 years, and it's
going to take a lot more validation and replication of these
results before that changes.
That said, it's an interesting study that suggests we could continue to save lives, as well as saving
the US government US$280 million each year, by switching the recommendation for tetanus
and diphtheria boosters to every 30 years.
"We have always been told to get tetanus immunization every 10 years, but actually, there is very little
data to prove or disprove that timeline," said lead researcher Mark K. Slifka from Oregon
Health & Science University.
But the new research looked into how long 546 adults were actually protected against
diphtheria and tetanus, and found that they contained antibodies against the diseases for up to
30 years after receiving their last booster - way longer than previously assumed.