Tetanus shot how long after puncture can one wait?

Not long.: Tetanus vaccines prevent "lockjaw", a disease of horrible muscle spasms that is generally fatal. If you have already been properly vaccinated within the last 10 years, then you are probably protected unless the puncture wound is profoundly contaminated--prompting a need for a booster vaccine in 5 years. The symptoms of tetanus can occur as quickly as 3 days, although the average is 8 days.