Administering Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine:

Following is the schedule for vaccinating pregnant women that are recommended by the
American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). The immunization will only be
given after thorough screening of your medical reports.
o If the pregnant woman has never been vaccinated before or her immunization
results are not known, two doses of TT/Td are given one month before
delivery and further doses as per table one.
Dose of TT or Td
(according to card
or history)
1
2
3
4
5

When to give
At first contact or as early as
possible in pregnancy
At least 4 weeks after TT1
At least 6 months after TT2 or
during subsequent pregnancy
At least one year after TT3 or
during subsequent pregnancy
At least one year after TT4 or
during subsequent pregnancy

Expected duration of protection

None
1-3 years
At least 5 years
At least 10 years
For all childbearing age years and
possibly longer

Source

If the pregnant woman had 1 to 4 TT doses earlier, the rest one dose of TT/Td can be
given before delivery.

If the pregnant woman shows vaccination proofs of her infancy, childhood and
adolescence of tetanus containing vaccines like TT, Td, DTP or DT, doses are given as
per table two.

Age at last
vaccination

Infancy
Childhood
School age
School age

Previous immunizations
(based on written
records)
3 DTP

Recommended Immunizations
Later (at
At present
intervals of at
contact/pregnancy
least one year)
2 doses of TT/Td (min.4
weeks interval between
1 dose of TT/Td
doses)
1 dose of TT/Td
1 dose of TT/Td
1 dose of TT/Td
1 dose of TT/Td
1 dose of TT/Td
None

4 DTP
3 DTP + 1 DT/Td
4 DTP + 1 DT/Td
4 DTP + 1 DT at 4-6 yrs +
Adolescence
None
1 TT/Td at 14-16 yrs

None

Source
For complete protection during pregnancy, the last TT dose should be given two weeks before
delivery.
The doses are recorded on a personal immunization card that a woman should keep with her.
First Pregnancy Recommendations:
If it is your first pregnancy, your healthcare provider will recommend two doses of vaccine.

The first dose will be given in the third trimester that can be around the seventh month
in pregnancy.

The second dose will be given after four weeks of the first dose.

The WHO recommends a third dose as well that is given after six months of the
second dose. This is to offer protection against the tetanus for at least five years.

Few doctors prefer giving three doses, the first at 28 weeks of pregnancy. While some prefer
in the first trimester when all the tests are confirmed.
Second Pregnancy Recommendations:
Your healthcare provider will go through your vaccination history and will then recommend
doses accordingly.

If you are pregnant again within two years of your first and have received two doses
in the first pregnancy, you will be given only one booster dose.

If you are again pregnant after a long gap, the vaccination schedule will differ. Your
doctor will assess you and schedule the doses accordingly.

If you get hurt after taking any of the TT vaccine doses, you do not require any shot right
away. The vaccine already starts forming antibodies which protect your body from any
infections. At the same, it is better to check with your doctor if you have serious injuries.
While TT vaccine offers the necessary protection to the baby by transferring antibodies from
the mother, it is also important that the delivery is done in hygienic practices so as to prevent
maternal and neonatal tetanus conditions.
Dont hesitate to consult your doctor for any problem. Stay aware and stay healthy. Dont
forget to share your views on the same with us in the comment section below.