[Toonster]

Hubby and I were looking through our medical records and he realised that his tetanus is about to go out of date, and I don't even know when my last one was :exit

However, computer at our local GP says "no" - they are fully booked for the next month for nurses' appointments.

So - how much do tetanus jabs cost out in NZ? Looks like we are going to be setting ourselves up with a GP sooner rather than later!

[Tomsk]

The whole thing of 10 yearly tetanus boosters has changed. These days you have tetanus shots at 6w, 3m, 5m, 15m 4y & 11y of age. Then boosters at 45 & 65.....that's the NZ schedule. In the UK they just give 5 in the childhood schedule and that's it. Of course boosters are still given if necessary, ie at time of tetanus prone injury, but then the injury is carefully assessed and either the standard tetanus booster is given or the more rapid acting tetanus immunoglobulin, in cases of high risk of tetanus infection, if it's more than 10 years since your last injection.
So no need to ask for boosters as they're not likely to be given unless you've not completed the recommended vaccination schedule, however more important to be aware of when your last injection was and to be pro-active about getting attention in the case of wounds that could have been contaminated with soil & manure ( that includes gardening injuries, dog bites & pretty much anything else really).
BTW out of interest, you can no longer get a simple tetanus booster...it is only available combined with diphtheria.
Hope that helps.

Edited to say I forgot to answer the initial question re the cost. Sorry I can't remember off hand but I'll try to find out for you. However there is likely to be some variety in the answers, I'd suggest that the vaccine itself attracts a standard charge, but the additional charge for the appointment & administration of the vaccine is likely to vary a fair bit. Where I work vaccines on the standard schedule are administered free, anything additional is charged for.

[frootbat]

I just had one and it cost $25. :)

[Toonster]

Fab - thanks - I'll wait another decade and a half then :yes

Would rather not have an unnecessary injection (though I quite honestly do not know if I've had the full childhood course - it's not noted on my injection list. I don't think my mum would have let that one slide, though...)

Thanks for the info!

[JandM]

You HAVE an injection list? :o You made me think, I won't when in NZ any longer be able to say at the surgery who've known me for 30+ years, 'Oh, and when was it I ....?'

[Toonster]

My mum kept it throughout my childhood (she's obsessed with record keeping, for which I thank her!). I can't claim to have updated it much since university (but then I think the only one that I've had since 16 was my Meningitis one)