Individual tetanus vaccines: are they still available?

[Caligula]

The nurse in my GP's surgery told me they're not, but a friend of mine told me that her DD had one last year, as she'd had an over-response to the pertussis part of the vaccine when she was 6 weeks/ 8 weeks, whenever it was.

Is the practice nurse lying to me, or have they just phased it out since last year? If so, how do they deal with little girls like my friend's DD, who cannot have the pertussis bit of the vaccine? Does anyone know?

I don't know about separate tetanus jabs, but i'm sure they must be available because you are supposed to have them updated every 10 years anyway. There is a separate Diptheria and Tetanus jab available because they gave that to DS2 in error instead of the one with pertussis in as well.

I asked the practice nurse about that - "what about adults?" She was quite adamant that you can now only get the 5 in 1 (or 3 in 1 in special cases) and I wondered how they deal with adults who need a booster, but have already been vaccinated for diptheria, polio etc.?

I had to have a tetanus this year after stepping on a nail. I was asked when my last one had been but that was all. No idea about 5 in 1, all I know is I don't need another one for 10 years

It's still available according to NHS direct.

My ds1 also reacted badly to the pertussis part of the DTP. We were extremely lucky to get the very last of the DT (without the P) vaccine that the GP surgery had. The use-by date was less than a week away from the date he was given it. DT had been withdrawn by then although current stocks could still be used. If we'd left it 2 weeks longer we would have had to either leave him without any protection or take a risk with the DTP.

We were told the singles aren't available for under-10's but are still used for children of 10+ and adults.

similar to kid, I had to have a tetanus booster quite recently after cutting my hand on glass. Had it done at A&E, just a single jab. I suspect the nurse is only talking about the jabs in relation to children, but the singles are definitely still available for adults.You would not, hoewever, be able to get a single rubella jab as an adult - only the MMR ( unless you paid for it privately).

ruty - It was about 4 years ago when he reacted to it so I think it would probably have been the older type. He had the last batch of DT last August as part of his pre-school immunisations.

I know this thread is rather old, but I've found it very informative and just wondered if anyone had any more up to date information to add.

DD 20 mths has had no vax so far and I would like her vaccinated against Tetanus some time, but don't want to do DPT due to concerns about Pertussis. Would like single T or DT. I went to a talk by Michael Odent last year on vax which was excellent, and he said there was a DT vax without mercury. I'm guessing he was a little out of date with his facts.

It looks like from previous posts that T and DT were withdrawn in 2004 and are not avaiable for under 10s. Can anyone confirm this is still the case? Any other info on getting T or DT for a toddler?

Thanks

Well I had a tetnus jab last week and it was with something as the nurse said they don't do single jabs anymore. But I'm sure it wasn't pertussis as I would have kicked up as was not allowed pertussis vaccination as a kid (got whooping cough twice instead )

I think it was combined with diptheria. ???

For anyone who's interested, Michel Odent gives a talk on childhood vaccinations at the Active Birth Centre in North London approx 4 times a year. There is usually a calendar on this site, but not at the moment. You can phone them for details.

Tenbygirl - I think the vax for under 10s are entirely different to the adult ones (which I assume is what you have had recently). Thanks for your comments tho'.

I asked my (very good, but alas now early retired) GP just before Xmas, and he said there was nothing except the 6 in 1 (5 in 1?) anyway DTP-ivpolio- hib- men c thing they give babies, for the under 12's. For 12 plus there's the DT.

There's a thread on travel vaccinations from yesterday saying that someone heard they were bringing in a thimerosal paediatric tetanus jab soon.

If anyone hears anything please let me know. Would like ds2 and eventually ds3 to have a tetanus jab.

gah- thimerosal FREE I meant to say!

great thread.... I have been keeping eyes out for tetanus single jab too...

There is no single tetanus jab for any age group, the nurse was right.
Babies receive Pediacel which is the 5 in 1
Children from age 3 yrs 4months to 10 yrs recieve Repevax which is tetanus, low dose diptheria, pertussis and polio.
adults and children over 10 receive Revaxis which is tetanus, diptheria and polio.

No of these contain thiomersal.