Intended use & limitations

Educational decision-support for UK clinicians. Not a medical device, not for patient self-assessment.
Always corroborate with UKHSA wound-management guidance and Green Book Chapter 30 before clinical action.

Patient history & wound

Trismus, muscle rigidity or spasms presentTick to switch to the clinical-tetanus protocol.

Age band

If patient was born before 1961, UK universal tetanus vaccination did not exist; verify history; treat as “unknown” if no documented doses.

Tetanus immunisation status

Up to date

Primed but last dose > 10 years ago

Incomplete priming course

Unknown / uncertain history

Wound category

Time since injury

Heavy contamination (soil/manure)

Burn injury

Severely immunosuppressed

Person who injects drugs (PWID)

Risk likelihood

Estimated likelihood of tetanus risk if no prophylaxis is given.

Low

25/100

Very LowLowModerateHighVery High

Overall assessment: Low

Based on age, immunisation status, wound, time since injury and modifiers.

Recommendation

Vaccine / booster

No tetanus booster needed today. Continue routine schedule.

Tetanus immunoglobulin

Tetanus immunoglobulin not indicated.

Wound care & follow-up

Thoroughly clean the wound. Consider antibacterials based on clinical severity.
Continue routine immunisation schedule.

Recommendation generated from your inputs. Always corroborate with the source guidance before clinical action.

This tool has not been registered as a medical device with the MHRA. It is intended for use by qualified UK healthcare professionals as an educational aid only. The responsible clinician retains full accountability for any decision made.

Useful resources