Why and When Is the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) Vaccine Given During Pregnancy?

Tetanus Toxoid or TT injection during pregnancy is a vital vaccine recommended to women worldwide in each pregnancy. TT injection during pregnancy can help prevent the expecting mother and her baby from getting a tetanus infection. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease sadly which is incurable. But it can easily be prevented with the TT vaccine.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of TT injection during pregnancy, how many doses are given, the site of injection and any side effects you may experience.

Why is TT injection given during pregnancy?

A woman's immune function weakens during pregnancy and makes her vulnerable to infections and diseases. The tetanus bacteria is commonly found in soil and dust and can enter your body through an open wound. TT injection during pregnancy helps your body produce antibodies that fight against the tetanus bacteria and prevent the development of tetanus disease. When a woman receives TT injection during pregnancy, her antibodies are passed on to her growing baby.

As a result, the baby is also protected from the disease for the first few months of life until they receive their first TT vaccine, usually at the age of six to eight weeks, as part of the DTP vaccine.

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How many TT injection during pregnancy does a woman need?

When and how many TT injection during pregnancy you will receive will depend on whether you received a TT vaccine recently, how many pregnancies you have had previously, and how far apart your pregnancies were. If this is your first pregnancy and you had followed a regular vaccine schedule as a child and adult, you will probably get two doses of TT injection during pregnancy. There should be a gap of minimum 4 weeks between each dose of TT injection during pregnancy. Your doctor will decide which month of pregnancy to give these vaccines in.

The WHO recommends that pregnant women who have no vaccination history or records receive their first dose of the TT injection during pregnancy as early as possible. The first dose should be followed by a second dose 4 weeks later and a third dose 6 months after the second one. So, you might get your first TT injection during pregnancy soon after the first prenatal appointment, and get up to 3 doses before you deliver your baby.

How long does the protection of the TT vaccine last?

The TT injection received during your first pregnancy will protect you from the disease for up to three years if you have had two doses of the vaccine, and five years if you have had three doses. So if you get pregnant again during this time, you might only need one booster shot in your next pregnancy. However, if the gap between your first and second pregnancy is larger then, you will probably get two doses of the TT injection during pregnancy.

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What is the site of administration of TT injection during pregnancy?

It's normal to feel pain at the site where you are administered the TT injection during pregnancy. The doctors try to administer the vaccine at the site they think will hurt the least. It's possible that you will be administered the TT injection during pregnancy in either of your butt-cheeks but you can feel pain at the site of the vaccine for up to a few days from the day of administration.

To relieve the pain, and reduce any swelling, apply an ice pack to the site of the injection. It's best to avoid consuming any ibuprofen or painkillers as it isn't considered safe for use in pregnancy. If the pain persists or you feel anything unusual it's best to contact your doctor at the earliest.

Are there any side effects of TT injection during pregnancy?

You may experience some side effects of TT injection during pregnancy such as:

• Pain at the site of the injection
• Redness at the site of the injection
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Swelling at the site of the injection
• Itching, hives or rashes near the site of the injection, which may be an allergic reaction
• Fever
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Pain in joints or muscles

Closing Thoughts

Tetanus is a life-threatening illness and by getting the TT injection during pregnancy you can help protect yourself and your unborn child from its adverse effects. TT injection during pregnancy is absolutely safe and is administered throughout the world.