The tetanus vaccine is recommended by the world health organization, WHO, to be given routinely to children, adults, and tourists who will visit an area where cases of tetanus are spreading. Learn about the use of the tetanus vaccine and its immunization period here.
Tetanus vaccine is given to someone to prevent bacterial infection of Clostridium tetani which produces toxins and causes muscle stiffness. Tetanus infection can lead to serious health problems to death. Tetanus bacteria are commonly found in soil or mud and enter the body through wounds or open areas on the skin. But it can also be found in animal or human feces.
This disease can also affect infants whose umbilical cord care is inadequate. At the time the baby is born, cutting the umbilical cord using an unsterile device has high potential to cause tetanus infection in the baby. Other risk factors that can cause tetanus in infants are born to mothers who did not get the TT vaccine (Tetanus Toxoid), or a history of tetanus infection in their siblings at birth.
Tetanus generally requires time (incubation period) of seven to eight days to develop up to 1-2 months. Symptoms of headaches and stiffness in the jaw muscles can first appear and then spread to the area of the hands, arms, legs, and back. A stiff neck and blocked breathing can also appear afterwards. If left untreated, this condition can cause respiratory failure. The tetanus vaccine is given to stimulate the body's production of antibodies against tetanus toxins and protect you from the above symptoms or pain that may be experienced due to this disease.
There are several types of vaccines that can protect you from tetanus, because they are usually combined with vaccines for other diseases, such as whooping cough or pertussis. Here are the types of vaccines used to prevent and protect you from tetanus:
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenza type b or DTaP / IPV / Hib given to children under the age of 10 years.
The Indonesian Pediatrician Association recommends that this vaccine be given when infants are 2, 3 and 4 months old, by giving a repeat or booster vaccine at the age of 18 months and 5 years. In children over the age of 10 years and adults who have not been vaccinated as a child, this vaccine is given three times every once a month in the form of a Td / IPV type vaccine.
The fourth dose of children who have been vaccinated when the baby will be given back three years after the first 3 doses are given, in the form of a type of DTaP / IPV vaccine. In children and adults who have not been vaccinated as a child, the fourth dose will be given back five years after the first 3 doses are given and are in the form of a Td / IPV vaccine.
The fifth dose of the child who was vaccinated when the baby will be given back when he is 13-18 years old is a Td / IPV type vaccine. Meanwhile, in children or adults who have not been vaccinated as a child, the fifth dose will be given back ten years after the fourth dose is given as a Td / IPV type vaccine.
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio or DTaP / IPV given to children under 7 years, starting from the age of 2 months.
This vaccine is a type of vaccine given as the fourth dose of a total of 5 recommended doses.
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio or Td / IPV given to older children and adults.
This vaccine is a type of vaccine given as the fifth dose of the 5 recommended vaccine doses.
If you have injuries, especially dirty ones, it is advisable to get anti-tetanus immunoglobulin regardless of your previous vaccination history. This immunoglobulin injection is useful to provide additional protection against tetanus bacteria.
Coverage of tetanus vaccine for infants worldwide is estimated at 84%, but tetanus infection is still an important health problem in several countries in Asia and Africa. Based on Indonesia's health profile in 2016, there were a total of 14 cases of tetanus in infants throughout Indonesia and 9 of them occurred in babies born assisted by non-medical personnel and 6 of them died. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to get a prenatal check up and deliver aided by professional medical personnel.
Getting the tetanus vaccine is highly recommended for all family members and can already be given to babies who reach the age of two months. You are also advised to complete the series of immunization periods, because you may still be infected with this bacteria and not make you immune even though you have been infected before. You can look for additional information or discuss with your doctor about tetanus, the tetanus vaccine, and health and treatment risks.
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