Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus
- Pregnant women not vaccinated against tetanus in childhood or adolescence should receive at least 2 doses of tetanus vaccine (TT), before giving birth.
- The 1st dose should be administered before at 27 weeks of pregnancy. The second dose should be administered at least 4 weeks after the 1st dose and ideally at least 2 weeks before the due date to maximize the maternal antibody response and passive antibody transfer to the infant. 3rd dose is given at least 6 months after TT3 or during next pregnancy. 4th dose is given 1 year after TT4 or during another pregnancy.
- Once administered, these five doses confer lifelong protection.
Disclaimer: This guide is an educational reference for healthcare professionals. It does not replace clinical judgement — always follow your hospital's protocols and current guidelines.