Medical Questions » Vaccinations, Adult Questions » Question No. 997
| Question: | I am 42 years old, and often work in the garden and get small nicks on my hands. Is it still necessary to have a tetanus injection? I have never heard of anyone catching this disease. If so, how often should I have a tetanus injection? |
| Answer: | Imagine a disease, the seeds of which are in the soil around us. A disease not restricted to the third world nations of Asia and Africa, but present in Australia. A disease that causes the death of nearly half the people who catch it, and which causes excruciating pain from muscle spasms triggered by the slightest noise. A disease that can be caught by having a relatively small cut anywhere on the body. A disease called tetanus.
We are fortunate in Australia to have access to vaccinations which prevent this terrible disease and the number of people who catch it is not therefore high. In less fortunate countries, the population is not as well educated and medical services are not as readily available. Thousands of people die a terrifying and tortured death because of the unavailability' of a simple vaccine. Tetanus vaccination is still necessary, and if you have not had one for ten years, you could catch tetanus!
All children should have a series of vaccinations known as triple antigens at two, four, six and eighteen months of age. This contains vaccines against whooping cough and diphtheria as well as tetanus. A further booster is given prior to school entry at five years of age.
Adults are also at risk. The tetanus vaccine does not give life-long protection, and revaccination is necessary every ten years. If you have a wound likely to be contaminated by tetanus, the vaccination should be given again after only five years. Deep wounds, such as treading on a nail, are particularly likely to cause tetanus.
The tetanus vaccine is one of the smallest and least painful injections of all, and it has no side-effects. There are no excuses for you and your children not being adequately protected. See your general practitioner soon. Tomorrow may be too late!
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