Most adults don't need tetanus and diphtheria booster shots, study concludes

Booster shots for tetanus and diphtheria have been a staple of adult immunization schedules, but new research finds that these regular updates may not offer any added benefit. Many countries, including the U.S. and France, recommend that adults get a booster shot every 10 years even after they've gotten the recommended childhood dose. But in a newly published study, researchers conclude that there was no difference in the rates of the two rare but dangerous diseases between countries that recommend adult revaccination every decade versus countries, like the U.K., without such a recommendation. The scientists looked at 15-year disease incidence data from 31 industrialized countries in North America and Europe. Dropping these revaccination requirements could also save over a billion dollars in health costs, study senior author Mark Slifka of Oregon Health and Science University tells STAT.