Why should you get a tetanus shot every 5-10 years?

Too many shots is a waste of resources. The vaccine is scarce now and being reserved for people with significant trauma. every 5 years is fine AFAIAC

I am not aware of the need for a second type of tetanus immunization, but I doubt the doc was yanking your chain. There are more fun things to do to patients than giving them unnecessary shots. (Kidding! Kidding!)

From The pediatric critical care webpage:

[sup]1[/sup]Difficulty swallowing
[sup]2[/sup]Spasmodic contraction of the masseter muscle resulting in forceful jaw closure. AKA lockjaw.
[sup]3[/sup]Abnormal grinning expression due to facial muscle spasm.
[sup]4[/sup]Cessation of breathing
[sup]5[/sup]Skeletal muscle breakdown

Only one type of toxin exists (AFAIK) and is used for vaccination (in an inactived form) worldwide. Can’t imagine what the doc was thinking.