Do you vaccinate your child and yourself for tetanus?

After stepping on a rusty nail that went through my foot yesterday I called my doctor who said I was okay since I had my booster 3 years ago, but told me if it had been 5 years then I would need to come in for a booster.. then told me that people do not take tetanus seriously and let their shots lax and what a high mortality rate it has etc.. My husband's grandpa is the only one I have heard of getting tetanus and this was back in the 60's... Do you think a tetanus shot is important? If you did not get your child vaccinated are you afraid when they are cut? He also told me that if you have never had the shot or if you are behind that if you go to get a booster and you have already got tetanus, it is not effective... Tetanus has always freaked me out, so I have got the shot for us all, but I must admit that I have never heard of anyone actually getting tetanus and I am sure the majority of people are not up to date, so I wonder if he was exaggerating or if he was right?