Children receive tetanus shots as part of a series of vaccinations starting in infancy and continuing through early childhood and adolescence. According to CDC guidelines:
- Babies receive three doses of the DTaP vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age.
- They then get booster doses at 15 to 18 months and again at 4 to 6 years of age.
- Preteens get a booster shot of Tdap between 11 and 12 years old to maintain immunity.
These vaccines protect against tetanus as well as diphtheria and pertussis in combination.
