Tetanus Vaccination After Cat Bite

Tetanus Prophylaxis Guidelines Based on Vaccination Status

For cat bites, tetanus prophylaxis should be administered if it has been 5 or more years since the last tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine dose, as cat bites are classified as contaminated wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2
If last tetanus vaccination was <5 years ago: No tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine or tetanus immune globulin (TIG) needed, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2
If last tetanus vaccination was ≥5 years ago: Administer tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine without TIG, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 3
If last tetanus vaccination was ≥10 years ago: Administer tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine as part of routine booster schedule, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4, 5

For persons aged ≥11 years who have not previously received Tdap or have unknown Tdap history: Tdap is preferred over Td, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 8
For persons with documented previous Tdap vaccination: Either Td or Tdap may be used, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 8, 9
For pregnant women: Tdap should be used regardless of prior Tdap history, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 8, 6
For children aged <7 years: DTaP is recommended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
For children aged 7-10 years: Tdap is preferred, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 7

Persons with HIV infection or severe immunodeficiency who have contaminated wounds should receive TIG regardless of their tetanus immunization history, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2
When both TIG and tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine are indicated, administer using separate syringes at different anatomical sites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
Persons with a history of an Arthus reaction following a previous tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine should not receive a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine until >10 years after the most recent dose, regardless of wound condition, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1

Proper wound care and debridement play a critical role in tetanus prevention in addition to vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4
Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines provide long-lasting protection, with boosters needed every 10 years for general protection and every 5 years for contaminated wound management, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1