Could We Stop Adult Tetanus and Diphtheria Boosters? Scientists Think So

Here’s something that might surprise you: adults in the U.S. may not actually need tetanus and diphtheria booster shots every 10 years. That’s the conclusion of a new review from scientists at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and if it holds, it could save the country about $1 billion each year.

The Big Picture

For decades, public health guidelines have recommended that adults keep up with booster shots for tetanus and diphtheria. These are serious diseases: before vaccines, tetanus killed more than 9 out of 10 people who got it, while diphtheria had a mortality rate around 50%. But thanks to widespread childhood vaccinations, these illnesses are now incredibly rare.

The new research shows that the protection from childhood vaccines lasts far longer than expected—at least 30 years, maybe even a lifetime. If that’s true, continuing to give adult boosters doesn’t add much benefit.

A Billion-Dollar Question

The U.S. currently follows a 10-year booster schedule, but ending this practice could cut unnecessary costs dramatically. Scientists behind the review argue that by focusing on strong childhood vaccination rates, adults could remain protected without routine boosters.

Of course, there’s an important caveat: boosters might still be needed in special situations, such as after a severe injury where tetanus exposure is likely. But for the general population, the evidence suggests boosters aren’t doing much extra.

Lessons From Across the Pond

One of the most interesting parts of the review looks at France and the United Kingdom—two countries just 21 miles apart, but with different vaccination strategies.

• France: Adults continue to receive regular boosters throughout life.
• United Kingdom: Since the 1950s, adults haven’t been given routine boosters, except during pregnancy or for injury-related care.

So, what happened? Despite decades of different approaches, both countries show similarly low rates of tetanus and diphtheria. In fact, the U.K. has slightly fewer cases overall.

Even during a 2022 outbreak where 73 cases of diphtheria were imported into the U.K. by asylum seekers, the disease didn’t spread among the wider population. That’s thanks to herd immunity, powered by strong childhood vaccine coverage.

Aligning With Global Recommendations

If the U.S. were to drop its 10-year booster schedule, it would be in line with the World Health Organization and other countries that rely on early-life vaccination as the backbone of protection. The idea is simple: if you’re covered as a child, that coverage lasts.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about saving money, although a billion dollars annually is nothing to shrug at. It’s also about trusting the science of vaccines. The diseases that once terrified communities are now mostly confined to history books, precisely because of strong vaccination programs.

But scientists stress that this only works if childhood vaccination rates remain high. Skipping or delaying those early shots could open the door to outbreaks that no one wants to see return.

The Takeaway

We may soon see a shift in how the U.S. handles tetanus and diphtheria prevention. Instead of repeating boosters every decade, we might lean on the protection already built during childhood. If so, it would save money, reduce unnecessary shots, and show once again the power of vaccines in protecting us across generations.

Source: Lessons learned from successful implementation of tetanus and diphtheria vaccination programs