What is the going rate for a tetanus shot these days?

[kap]

And, is it true that in an emergency dr would give one a shot without asking for the patient's history due to the urgency of the situation? A community clinic charges $60 for the shot.

[Doc]

Call your local health department and see if they know of anyplace around that gives 'em free or discounted.

[wowzer]

kap,

We give tetanus shots all the time...the ER cost is substantial, though.

A few years ago, there was a shortage of tetanus boosters and we referred folks to the Dept of Health.

GL.

[kap]

wowzer wrote:
kap,

We give tetanus shots all the time...the ER cost is substantial, though.

GL.

Because there was no time to check the patient's record dr would give the shot even if the patient had one the day before? I am just curious as I am a volunteer dog walker at an animal shelter. I had my shot so many years ago.

A nearby Minute Clinic charges $67. I did not see the mention of any dr office visit charge. The low cost community clinic charges $60 not including the office fee of $55. Ugh!

[Michael]

I got one at my annual physical in January because "it was time" and it was an extra $60.

[voodoopenguin]

Here in the UK I went to my doctor a few months ago for a few minor ailments and asked about a booster for my tetanus jab I had many years ago. He said that current research has shown that if you have had a tetanus jab you don't need a booster any more. He did say that in an emergency, an accident etc. they might give you a shot just in case but there is no point in the booster for every day stuff. I mentioned it because I do a lot of gardening.

[Mike V]

Really?

Down here the docs say you should get a booster every 10 years.

I've had at least three Tetanus shots.

[rgG]

voodoopenguin wrote:
Here in the UK I went to my doctor a few months ago for a few minor ailments and asked about a booster for my tetanus jab I had many years ago. He said that current research has shown that if you have had a tetanus jab you don't need a booster any more. He did say that in an emergency, an accident etc. they might give you a shot just in case but there is no point in the booster for every day stuff. I mentioned it because I do a lot of gardening.

I think I will go with this view, since I have a really intense dislike of needles.

It is, however, things like this that bothers me about modern medicine. They are forever changing their recommendations. I understand that it is often because new information becomes available or longer term studies are finally finished, but it can get very confusing. And, as Mike V points out, there is often not a consensus.

[Doc]

rgG wrote:
[quote=voodoopenguin]
Here in the UK I went to my doctor a few months ago for a few minor ailments and asked about a booster for my tetanus jab I had many years ago. He said that current research has shown that if you have had a tetanus jab you don't need a booster any more. He did say that in an emergency, an accident etc. they might give you a shot just in case but there is no point in the booster for every day stuff. I mentioned it because I do a lot of gardening.

I think I will go with this view, since I have a really intense dislike of needles.
Sorry.

Either that doctor lied or was misunderstood. There's an 18% fatality rate from untreated tetanus in the United States. It's higher in the U.K.

Immunity fades. There's a good chance that if you've had 3 shots as an adult you've got decent immunity for more than another 10 years, but it's not a sure thing. You should have a booster every 10 years.

And the shot they give at the hospital when you're wounded is probably not an ordinary booster, but is combined with a serum designed to rapidly build a peak immunity within 48 hours or so of the shot.