New tetanus vaccine for children

“The Td vaccine consists of tetanus toxoid and a lower concentration of diphtheria toxoid, compared to the diphtheria in the tetanus diphtheria vaccine that it will replace,” the Department of Health said Friday, 1 February 2008.

The Td dose at 12 years is a new addition to the schedule.

“It is to ensure the correct number of tetanus toxoid doses and a long enough interval between doses, thus allowing maximum duration of protection against tetanus, which is expected to be lifelong,” the department said.

The revised schedule, the department said will allow for prolonged protection against diphtheria.

Tetanus is a condition that is caused by tetanus spores.

Tetanus spores are commonly found in the environment as they are the normal inhabitants of the intestines of animals, and thus are normally found in animal droppings/faeces.

Tetanus affects the nerves after an open wound is infected by tetanus spores.

The infected person will have stiffness of the jaw, the neck and severe muscle spasms of the abdomen and back.

Neonatal tetanus is a condition that occurs in the first month of a child's life caused by unhygienic cord care practices.

Similarly, unhygienic delivery and wound care practices can cause a mother who is not fully protected against tetanus to get tetanus after birth, called maternal tetanus.

As tetanus cannot be eradicated, the department said there is a need to continue with immunisation for both pregnant women and children.

The revised policy aims to ensure that over a period of time, the young girls who are immunised under this schedule will be fully protected against tetanus as they grow.

“Thus this generation of girls will not need tetanus toxoid immunisation during pregnancy, when they become mothers.

“The Td vaccine is safe and effective. The potential risks associated with the natural infections of tetanus and diphtheria are much greater than the potential risks that may be associated with the administration of the Td vaccine,” the department said.

The department would like to encourage and urge parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are fully immunised against childhood vaccine preventable diseases, and to report any cases of neonatal tetanus at the nearest health facility.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews