plain tetanus booster no longer available?

[womancaredoula]

My 10 year old just had a serious puncture wound to his hand and of course his ped is recommending he get his tetanus booster which he would be due for in a few months early.

I know that getting the vaccine after an injury isn't effective but I'm looking ahead to his booster anyways since our ped said that no one makes a plain tetanus any longer - that you have to get a tetanus/whopping cough combo unless I can find a clinic that has some of the old stash on hand.

I did an archive search on this list and found a post on 5/25 where the poster gave a link to info on a plain tetanus but the link no longer works. Anyone have any info on this?

[Marnica]

It is thought that a tetanus vaccine may confer immunity for up to 20+ years. I seriously wouldn't bother getting booster at age 10!!!!! The whole you need one every 10 years speil is not based on any real science.
Dr Mendhelson said:

There has been a gradual retreat of even the most conservative authorities from giving tetanus boosters every one year to every two years to every five years to every 10 years (as now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics), and according to some, every 20 years. All these numbers are based on guesses rather than on hard scientific evidence.

If you feel you need one, they do still make a tetanus toxoid vaccine as far as I know. You may have to have the doc special order it. Most places don't carry it. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVac.../ucm094068.htm. Make sure you get the single dose preservative free option!