A new review published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews suggests that routine adult boosters for tetanus and diphtheria may no longer be necessary in the U.S., thanks to the enduring protection from childhood vaccinations.
Led by Oregon Health & Science University, researchers found that immunity from the standard childhood Tdap series may last at least 30 years—far longer than the current 10-year booster recommendation.
With childhood vaccine coverage around 95%, the U.S. has seen dramatic declines in these diseases, making new adult infections extremely rare. According to lead author Dr. Mark Slifka, Americans are now up to 1,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be diagnosed with tetanus or diphtheria.
The researchers estimate that dropping routine adult boosters—except in specific cases like travel, injury, or pregnancy—could save approximately $1 billion annually.
They also note that this would bring U.S. vaccination policy in closer alignment with the World Health Organization, which hasn’t recommended adult boosters for tetanus or diphtheria since 2017.
Though France continues recommending adult boosters, the United Kingdom has not done so since the 1950s, and it has maintained similar or even lower infection rates compared to the U.S., even during a 2022 outbreak among immigrants.
The authors stress that emergency boosters should still be used when necessary, particularly for individuals at higher risk. However, for most healthy adults who completed the full childhood vaccine series, decennial boosters may be an outdated precaution.
Related topics:
Workers Could Face Higher Health Care Costs in 2026
Common Protein Mistakes That Could Impact Your Health Daily
Florida Health Officials Warn of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Risk in Coastal Waters
