Guidance

Tetanus: the green book, chapter 30

Tetanus immunisation information for public health professionals, including updates.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 20 March 2013
• Last updated: 14 August 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 14 August 2026

     Added note to explain interim PEP guidance for health professionals.

  2. 3 June 2025

     Updated with the routine childhood schedule change of a new 18-month hexavalent dose.

  3. 6 June 2022

     Update the telephone numbers for Bio Products Laboratory.

  4. 22 January 2020

     Added correction to the Scotland supply section.

  5. 13 November 2019

     Added the revised chapter to include updates on the epidemiology and management of wounds and immunoglobulins.

  6. 26 November 2018

     Updated advice on management of exposure prone wounds and supplies of immunoglobulin.

  7. 9 November 2018

     Added link to revised guidance for health professionals.

  8. 2 August 2018

     Added link to interim guidance.

  9. 19 April 2013

     Updated the Body text to include a link to National Archives (chapter update patches) and NHS Choices.

  10. 20 March 2013

      First published.

Documents

Tetanus: the green book, chapter 30

PDF, 287 KB, 17 pages

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Details

This chapter is being updated to include updated Immunoglobulin advice for treatment and PEP for tetanus. Please refer to the national guidance Tetanus: advice for health professionals - GOV.UK for updated advice in the interim.

This edition includes updates on:

• epidemiology of tetanus
• management of tetanus prone wounds
• correct dose of immunoglobulin for prevention of tetanus
• use of immunoglobulins for the treatment of clinical tetanus

Tetanus is an acute disease caused by the action of tetanus toxin, released following infection by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.

In November 2018 revised guidance for healthcare professionals on the use of immunoglobulins for the treatment of clinical tetanus and the management of tetanus prone wounds was issued.

Chapter 30 update patches.