The tetanus vaccine--referred to as the DTaP vaccine--is a three-in-one injection intended to protect patients against developing diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Immunization with DTaP is typically required for your child to attend school. This vaccine is usually given to children as a series of five injections at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months of age and between 4 to 6 years of age, explains Drugs.com, an informational, peer-reviewed drug product website. Concerns regarding whether the tetanus vaccine has any side effects should be discussed with your child's pediatrician prior to immunization.
Injection Site Reaction
The most common side effect of the tetanus vaccine is an injection site reaction. Health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that as many as 25 percent of children receiving the tetanus vaccine may experience redness, swelling, soreness or tenderness at the injection site. Injection site reactions develop more frequently following the fourth or fifth dose of the tetanus shot series. In certain instances, side effects of swelling can extend into the entire arm or leg into which the tetanus vaccine was given. Your pediatrician may recommend that you give your child a dose of an over-the-counter analgesic medication, such as acetaminophen, prior to receiving this vaccination to limit the development of injection site reaction side effects.
Fever
The tetanus vaccine can cause a fever to develop in certain patients. A fever can lead to the development of additional side effects, including sweating, chills, headache or body aches. Approximately 25 percent of children develop a fever within several hours of being immunized, explain CDC health officials. Your child's pediatrician should be contacted immediately if your child develops a fever that is over 105 degrees Fahrenheit after receiving the tetanus vaccine.
Stomach Upset
Your child can experience an upset stomach after being immunized with the tetanus vaccine, explains Drugs. Side effects of nausea, vomiting or a decreased appetite can develop in patients within hours of receiving the injection and may last several days. Talk with your child's pediatrician if upset stomach side effects persist or become progressively more severe after treatment.
Irritability
An estimated 1/3 of children become unusually fussy or irritable after receiving the tetanus vaccine, report CDC health officials. These side effects can also occur in conjunction with increased fatigue and may last for a few days following the vaccination. If your child continues to cry non-stop for longer than three hours, contact your pediatrician as this side effect can be indicative of a severe reaction to the tetanus vaccine.
Seizures
Though rare, seizures can develop in certain patients following administration of the tetanus vaccine. Seizures can cause your child to begin to involuntary shake or convulse and may occur in conjunction with headache or loss of consciousness. Your pediatrician should be contacted immediately if your child has a seizure after receiving the tetanus vaccine.
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