Adverse Reactions to Tetanus Toxoid

Abstract

A retrospective review of 740 charts of patients with a history of adverse reaction to tetanus toxoid immunization was undertaken. The most common reactions, by history, were local edema and tenderness (33%), fever (15%), and anaphylactoid response (33%). Three patients who had a vesicular eruption at the immunization site were found to have delayed hypersensitivity to mercury. Thirty percent of the patients had received tetanus toxoid within one year and 55% within five years of evaluation. Reactive responses to immediate skin tests were exceedingly rare (less than 1%). None of the challenge patients suffered an adverse reaction.

Risk of Recurrence of Adverse Events Following Immunization: A Systematic Review

“…Researchers in 2 studies evaluated the risk of recurrence of anaphylaxis in 133 patients receiving various vaccines 16,21 (Table 3). All but 1 had negative skin testing with the vaccine.…”

Tetanus Toxoid Induced Anaphylaxis

“…Adverse reactions to TT vaccine are mostly mild and limited to the injection site [6]. The most common adverse reactions include local edema and tenderness, fever and anaphylactoid response [7]. It may also cause delayed hypersensitivity responses with leukocyte migration inhibition [8].…”

Vaccine allergies

“…Rarely, hyperimmunized patients by previous injections of a vaccine (e.g., tetanus vaccination) developed a local immune complex mediated by a Arthus-type reaction at the site of vaccine injection [6,7]. T-cell mediated reactions usually manifest in the form of local eczema, starting from 2-8 hours up to 2 days after vaccination.…”