Yes. Maxem Health gives tetanus shots at all 15 clinics, seven days a week, with no appointment needed. Whether you actually need one comes down to two numbers: how long it has been since your last tetanus shot, and how dirty the wound is.
The 5-year rule and the 10-year rule
The CDC splits wounds into two groups, and each group has its own booster interval:
- A clean, minor wound. You need a booster if it has been 10 years or more since your last tetanus shot.
- Any other wound. You need a booster if it has been 5 years or more.
That gap is the whole decision. At six years since your last shot, a shallow kitchen cut needs nothing. The same six years, with a nail through the sole of your shoe in the garden, and you are due.
If you cannot remember when your last one was, say so rather than guessing. An unknown history is handled differently from a known one, and it is not a reason to skip the visit.
What counts as a dirty wound
“Dirty” is broader than it sounds. The CDC category covers wounds contaminated with dirt, soil, saliva or faeces, along with puncture wounds, avulsions where skin has been torn away, and wounds caused by crushing, burns or frostbite.
The common thread is oxygen. Tetanus bacteria only grow where there is very little of it, so a deep narrow puncture that seals over at the surface is a far better home for them than a wide, shallow graze you can rinse clean.
The rusty nail is a myth, mostly
Rust does not cause tetanus. The bacteria behind it, Clostridium tetani, form spores that live in soil, dust and animal manure.
A nail in the yard is a genuine risk, just not for the reason most people think. It has been lying in soil, and it makes exactly the kind of deep, hard-to-clean puncture the bacteria need. A clean nail out of a box in the garage is a different proposition entirely.
So the question at check-in is not “was it rusty”. It is where the object had been, and how deep it went.
How quickly to get seen
Go the same day if you can. Cleaning the wound properly matters most in the first few hours, and if a booster is indicated it does its job best given promptly rather than days later.
Do not wait to see whether symptoms develop. Tetanus symptoms typically appear about 7 to 10 days after a wound, though the range runs from 1 to 60 days, and by the time they show up this is an emergency room problem, not an urgent care one. Most Maxem Health patients are seen in under 30 minutes, so a same-day walk-in is realistic.
What happens at the visit
- A provider examines and cleans the wound, flushing out debris
- They ask what caused it, where it happened and how deep it goes
- They check your vaccination history
- The wound gets closed if it needs closing. Maxem Health handles wound care, lacerations and incision and drainage, and can tell you whether you need stitches
- On-site X-ray if there is any chance something is still in there
- If a tetanus shot is indicated, it goes in the upper arm before you leave
If you have had fewer than three tetanus doses in your life, or genuinely do not know, the provider may also discuss tetanus immune globulin, which gives immediate short-term protection while a vaccine takes effect. They will explain that decision at the visit.
Tetanus shots sit on Maxem Health’s illness services list alongside TB skin tests, so this is routine walk-in work rather than something that needs scheduling.
What it costs
Maxem Health publishes prices for a DOT physical ($100), a pre-employment physical ($35), TB testing ($50) and a telehealth visit ($100). A tetanus shot is not on the published list, so ask at check-in or call your clinic for the current price.
Two things worth knowing before you go. Most insurance plans cover tetanus vaccination, and Maxem Health accepts most major plans. And if you are on the Maxem Health Discount Program, note that immunisations are one of its listed exclusions, so the shot itself will not be covered by it.
When to skip urgent care and go to the ER
Tetanus itself is treated in a hospital, not a walk-in clinic. Go straight to the emergency room if you already have jaw stiffness or lockjaw, muscle spasms, or trouble swallowing after a wound. Otherwise, go to the ER or call 9-1-1 for any of the following:
- Life-threatening conditions
- Heart attack or stroke
- Open fractures
- Severe bleeding
- Chest pain
- Head injury or other major trauma
- One-sided weakness or numbness
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe abdominal pain
If you are experiencing any of these, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not drive yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does urgent care give tetanus shots?
Yes. Tetanus shots are listed on Maxem Health’s illness services, available at all 15 clinics seven days a week without an appointment.
Do I need a tetanus shot for a small cut?
Only if it has been 10 years or more since your last one, assuming the cut is clean and minor. If the wound is dirty, a puncture, a burn or a crush injury, the threshold drops to 5 years.
How long after a cut can I still get a tetanus shot?
Sooner is better. Get seen the same day where possible, both so the wound can be cleaned properly and so any booster is given while it is most useful.
What if I have never had a tetanus shot, or cannot remember?
Tell the provider. An unknown or incomplete history changes what they recommend, and may include tetanus immune globulin alongside the vaccine for a higher-risk wound. It is not a reason to stay home.
Does a rusty nail mean I definitely need a tetanus shot?
Not by itself. Rust is not the risk. What matters is that the object had been in soil and that a nail makes a deep puncture, both of which suit the bacteria. Your last shot date still decides it.
What are the side effects of a tetanus shot?
A sore, red or swollen arm at the injection site is the usual one and settles in a few days. Tell the provider if you have had a severe reaction to a tetanus vaccine before.
Walk in at a Maxem Health clinic
Maxem Health Urgent Care has 15 clinics across Mississippi, Louisiana and Oregon, open seven days a week including holidays. Most clinics run Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm, though hours vary by location. If you have a wound that needs looking at, walk in, or save your spot online before you leave the house.
Save your spot at your nearest Maxem Health clinic, or find clinic addresses and hours.
This article is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a licensed provider. If you are worried about your symptoms, get seen.