Approx. 4 months ago whilst in UK I checked regarding my vaccinations and for Tetanus I was told something like my last one (which I assume would have been a booster) was about 8 or 9 years ago, but as I had a total of I think 5 in my lifetime then it was now assumed I pretty much would have lifetime protection.

First question. Is this lifetime protection correct and current best practice?

Two days ago whilst here in Thailand I knocked over a glass water jug and it made rather a nasty cut in my big toe that I needed to go to get stitched. I went to a local Clinic. Whilst there they asked about Tetanus and I told them my last one was about 8 years ago. They told me to have one now and so I did - my arm is now rather sore.

I was given the first of 3 injections (Tetanus Toxoid 0.5cc IM), with 2nd one due in a month's time and then 3rd one 5 months after that.

What I would like to know is.......

Is it right/good idea to be having a full set of 3 injections when I assumed if I needed anything it would be a booster?

Do I infact need any if I may have lifetime cover or better to be safe than sorry?

Can I treat this first injection as equivalent to a booster and leave it at that?

What is the difference between the booster I would get in UK and the start of a 3 vaccination course, as I am now on?

I am not totally relaxed about having a full course of 3 and what else they may contain - mercury etc - and if I can SAFELY do so, with an eye on the best all round practice to now adopt for future cover, I would rather leave it at the one I have already had?

Finally, I am also on a 5 day course of 3 a day of Amoxicillin+Clavulanic acid 625mg which I assume I need? and must fully complete?

A single dose should be fine..

If you have commenced taking the antibiotic you should finish the course.

The one Tetanus injection is adequate.

Every decade is standard. In case of an injury like that, it is standard to do another one even if the last one was less than 10 years ago. One jab for life? Not really.

every decade is standard and aware of that. That's for a booster though?

That's why I wanted to know the difference between the booster and the Tetanus Texoid 0.5cc first jab of three I have now had, if any - or is the booster just the name given to a single shot anyway?

btw, I was saying I was told 5 jabs or Tetanus courses/boosters given already over time gave lifetime cover, not one.

Thanks for replies and I will leave it at the one only I have already had, but there is still a small question as to why the clinic would look to give me the course of 3 jabs even after I have told them the same as stated here, but one is enough. Curious ;-)

The clinic have no way of confirming your previous vaccination history and so, I would guess, were erring on the side of caution.

The tet tox you received is exactly the same as is used for a "course" or a booster !

Thanks very much for help and info