How often should adults be re-evaluated for diphtheria and tetanus vaccination?

Adults should be re-evaluated for diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations every 10 years. This recommendation is based on the need to maintain adequate immunity against these diseases, particularly tetanus, which can be serious and potentially fatal.

The 10-year interval is designed to ensure that individuals receive a booster dose of the Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine or the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine if they have not received one in the past 10 years. This schedule helps sustain immunity through regular updates to the vaccine, reinforcing protection from these infections throughout adulthood. Additionally, it is important to assess vaccination status during routine health visits to keep immunization records current and ensure public health safety against these vaccine-preventable diseases.