Problem getting tetanus booster due to methotrexate - anyone else had this?

[Bon1]

Morning everyone

I got bitten by my kids’ new rodent yesterday. Bloody stupid me being very impatient to get the beast out of its box. Took myself off to urgent cate to get a tetanus booster because I don’t think I’ve ever had one...and was told no because apparently it’s combined with two other vaccines and they are live.

Now I know it’s incredibly slim chance that I would get tetanus but I do love a good worry and now it’s playing on my mind.

Has anyone else either encountered this situation, or have any words of wisdom?

I suppose I could see my gp tomorrow- but I really don’t know whether it’s either worth it or too late by then!

[Hessie5]

Morning - never had this problem, just thought worth calling the NHS hotline I think it’s 911 (do check), if only to put your mind at rest. Best wishes, Hessie

[Matilda_1922]

I was given the tetanus jab and taking methotrexate by the practice not. But now I don’t have much confidence now as I had a discussion with them about having a pneumonia jab as they said I wasn’t in the at risk group. So their knowledge of RA is very limited. I do appreciate that they need to know everything in small amounts. If I was treating someone with an illness I didn’t know much about I would research on the subject.

[oldtimer]

It seems unlikely that you have not received sufficient tetanus immunisation together with other vaccines in the past if you are the mother of children who are still children. That is unless you were one of the children of parents who objected to having their children immunised.

However, I think the information you were given is technically incorrect, in that tetanus normally comes with inactivated other vaccines.

If you want to look it up yourself look for the NHS Green Book and chapter 30 which is on tetanus.

gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

[hawker955]

Bon1, the risk from a rat-bite is negligible really. Tetanus is sustained from wounds contaminated by soil and other grime. Animal bites are not really a risk. The wounds tend t be very deep as well. Rat-bites are not very deep, maybe up to 5-10mm if the really get a grip. I thought that all tetanus vaccines were dead though so am surprised to hear this.

[Matilda_1922 in reply to hawker955]

I understand a dog bite is better than a human bite that needs antibiotics.

[Astral]

I've had this problem in the past when I was due for a booster. The GP surgery only have tetanus that is combined with other vaccines, I think it's diphtheria and whooping cough, which are live . My GP looked at my history and decided I'd had enough tetanus jabs over the years to be covered for life now but he did say that A&E departments had tetanus as a single vaccine. It might be worth you ringing your nearest A&E to see what they say, whether they think you should have a tetanus jab or not and if they can give it.

[janmary]

My knowledge is historic, but i thought the jab you need after an injury / bite is not the same as the routine imm programme one, and not held in stock at GP surgeries. Phone NHS helpline , but try not to worry - your risk is very low

[Jj01994]

I have been on MTX for 12 years and when I needed a tetnus shot they got me a special shot that only contained tetnus and not the other one. Also told if or when I need a bootser go to the health unit and they would hook me up with the right one.