Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine Price in the Philippines 2026
Quick Answer: The tetanus toxoid (Td) vaccine costs ₱110 for the ampule alone at Southstar Drug, or around ₱418.80 total (vaccine + administration fee) at Hi-Precision's online store, as of August 2026. It's free under the National Immunization Program (NIP) for schoolchildren at Grade 1 and Grade 7, and health centers often give it free for wound care or adult boosters too — ask when you go in.
About these figures: Prices below were read directly from the official online stores of Hi-Precision Diagnostics (hiprecision.com.ph) and Southstar Drug (southstardrug.com.ph) on August 31, 2026. Hi-Precision's listing bundles the vaccine (₱268.80) with a ₱150 administration fee for a total of roughly ₱418.80 per dose; Southstar's Bio TT 0.5mL ampule at ₱110 is the product only, without an administration fee attached, since it's typically sold for a doctor or clinic to administer separately. Branch prices can differ slightly from what's listed online. Last checked: August 2026.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Tetanus Toxoid (Td) Vaccine?
- How Much Does the Tetanus Vaccine Cost in the Philippines?
- Is the Tetanus Vaccine Free?
- Tetanus Vaccine After a Wound or Injury
- Do Adults Need a Tetanus Booster?
- Where to Get the Tetanus Vaccine
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is the Tetanus Toxoid (Td) Vaccine?
Td (tetanus-diphtheria toxoid) protects against tetanus, a bacterial infection that enters the body through cuts, punctures, or wounds contaminated with soil or rust, and diphtheria, a bacterial respiratory infection. Unlike many vaccines that are given once, tetanus protection fades over time, which is why the vaccine appears at multiple points in life: in infancy as part of combination shots, again at school age as a standalone Td dose, and again for adults after a dirty wound or on a periodic booster schedule.
The version most Filipino adults encounter by name — Td — is the combined tetanus-diphtheria formulation given at school age and beyond. It's a small, low-cost intramuscular injection with a strong safety record.
Tetanus itself is a serious illness worth taking seriously even though it's rarely discussed day to day. The bacteria that cause it (Clostridium tetani) live in soil, dust, and manure, and enter the body through breaks in the skin — a step on a rusty nail, a deep cut while gardening or farming, an animal bite, even a burn. Once inside, the bacteria produce a toxin that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms, historically nicknamed "lockjaw" for how it can lock the jaw shut. Unlike many infections, tetanus isn't spread person to person — every case comes from direct wound contamination, which is exactly why the vaccine matters most around injuries rather than around sick contacts.
How Much Does the Tetanus Vaccine Cost in the Philippines?
| Source | Product | Price (Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Southstar Drug | Bio TT 0.5mL ampule (product only) | ₱110.00 |
| Hi-Precision Diagnostics | Vaccine + administration fee | ₱268.80 + ₱150 = ~₱418.80/dose |
The gap between ₱110 and ₱419 comes down to what's included. Southstar's ₱110 is purely the ampule — you'd still need a clinic or physician to administer it, which typically adds a separate consultation or injection fee on top. Hi-Precision's ₱418.80 already bundles the administration fee into one number, so it's a closer estimate of what you'd actually pay walking in for a single dose. Neither figure includes a doctor's consultation if one is required beforehand.
Is the Tetanus Vaccine Free?
Yes — for two specific groups. Under the National Immunization Program (NIP), per the PIDSP/PPS/PFV 2026 immunization schedule, Td is given free at school to students in Grade 1 and again in Grade 7, as part of the routine school-based immunization program run through public schools and local health offices.
Beyond the school program, health centers frequently provide tetanus vaccination free of charge for wound care (a fresh cut, a rusty nail, an animal bite that isn't a rabies exposure) and sometimes for routine adult boosters, depending on the local government unit's stock and policy. Availability isn't uniform nationwide, so the safest approach is to ask your barangay health center or rural health unit directly whether they can give you a tetanus shot for free before paying for one at a pharmacy or private clinic.
Tetanus Vaccine After a Wound or Injury
A tetanus shot after an injury isn't automatic for everyone — it depends on your wound and your vaccination history. As a general rule, a dirty or deep wound (soil contamination, rust, puncture wounds, animal bites) warrants a tetanus booster if it's been more than 5 years since your last dose; a clean, minor wound generally only needs a booster if it's been more than 10 years. These are general guidelines, not a substitute for a clinical assessment — the attending doctor or health center staff should confirm what your specific wound and history require.
If your injury involves an animal bite, tetanus and rabies exposure are assessed separately — a tetanus shot does not replace rabies post-exposure prophylaxis when an animal bite calls for it. See our Anti-Rabies Vaccine Cost guide if that applies to you.
Do Adults Need a Tetanus Booster?
Tetanus immunity isn't permanent, which is why adults are generally advised to keep their Td vaccination current rather than assuming childhood or school-age doses cover them for life. Specific booster timing is a decision for your doctor or health center based on your vaccination history, occupation (manual labor, farming, and construction carry higher tetanus exposure risk), and any recent wound. This guide isn't a substitute for that assessment — if you're unsure when you were last vaccinated or whether you're due, ask your health center or physician directly rather than guessing.
For the full pediatric immunization timeline, see our Pediatric Vaccination Schedule guide.
Where to Get the Tetanus Vaccine
- Public schools (Grade 1 and Grade 7) — free, school-based, part of the NIP.
- Barangay health centers and rural health units — often free for wound care and sometimes for adult boosters; ask about current stock.
- Hospitals and clinics — for wound management after an injury, typically bundled into the ER or clinic visit fee.
- Pharmacies with vaccination services — Hi-Precision and similar retail health chains sell the vaccine with administration included, at roughly ₱419 per dose (Aug 2026).
Whichever option you choose, bring any prior immunization record you have (a baby book, a school immunization card, or a hospital discharge summary noting a past tetanus shot) — it helps the clinician confirm whether you're due for a booster instead of guessing based on your age alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tetanus shot cost in the Philippines?
Between ₱110 (product only, Southstar Drug) and roughly ₱419 (vaccine plus administration fee, Hi-Precision), as of August 2026. The price you pay depends on whether administration is bundled in and where you get it.
Is the tetanus vaccine free in the Philippines?
Yes, for schoolchildren at Grade 1 and Grade 7 under the National Immunization Program. Health centers also frequently give it free for wound care or adult boosters, though availability depends on local stock — ask before assuming.
Do I need a tetanus shot for every wound?
Not every wound requires a booster — it depends on how dirty or deep the wound is and how long it's been since your last dose. A doctor or health center can assess this quickly; don't self-diagnose whether you need one.
Can I get a tetanus shot at a barangay health center?
Often yes, especially for wound care, and it's frequently free. Availability varies by barangay and depends on current vaccine stock, so call ahead or check when you arrive.
Is Td the same as the tetanus shot babies get?
Not exactly. Infants receive tetanus protection as part of combination vaccines (like Pentavalent) rather than standalone Td. The standalone Td dose is what's given at school age (Grade 1 and Grade 7) and to adults.
How often do adults need a tetanus booster?
This depends on your vaccination history, occupation, and any recent wound — it's a decision for your doctor or health center, not something to determine from a blog post. Ask at your next health center visit if you're unsure when you're due.
Does PhilHealth cover the tetanus vaccine?
The NIP school-based doses and most health center vaccinations are provided through government immunization funding rather than billed to PhilHealth per dose. For broader vaccine pricing context, see our Vaccine Cost Guide.
Conclusion
Tetanus toxoid (Td) vaccination costs between ₱110 and roughly ₱419 per dose at Philippine pharmacies as of August 2026, but a large share of the population never pays that price at all — it's free at school in Grade 1 and Grade 7 under the National Immunization Program, and often free at health centers for wound care. If you've had an injury or aren't sure when you were last vaccinated, ask your local health center before paying out of pocket at a pharmacy.
For the full childhood immunization timeline, see our Pediatric Vaccination Schedule, or check the complete list of free NIP vaccines for babies. Search ClinicFinderPH to find a clinic or health center near you.