Tetanus Booster Vaccine

What is tetanus?

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a severe bacterial infection. The key factors causing the disease are toxoids produced by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is commonly found in nature, especially in soil, and it has the potential to enter the nervous system through cuts, wounds, or severe burns. The toxoids attack the nervous system, leading to the manifestation of disease symptoms.

These bacteria can be found in soil, particularly agricultural soil, as well as in urban environments, household dust, waste, rats, on the skin, beneath fingernails, and in the intestines and feces of various animals.

When an infection is caused by the bacterium, it is accompanied by the release of toxoids that may cause significant damage to the nervous system.

Symptoms

Tetanus symptoms may include systemic symptoms such as increased body temperature, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, excessive sweating, and intense muscular convulsions (seizures).

Furthermore, the disease can lead to severe complications such as lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and back, abdominal muscle stiffness, and paralysis of facial muscles. Additional complications may include difficulties swallowing and breathing.

In very rare cases, the disease causes brain infection and brain functional damage from direct penetration of the bacterium. The infection penetrates due to other infections in the head area, such as ear infections or wounds.

The recovery process can extend over a period of several months.

Complications

The prevailing complications include:

• Respiratory and vocal cord muscle spasms that may cause difficulties in swallowing and breathing
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumonia
• Continuous muscle cramps that may cause bone fractures
• Extended hospital stays, sometimes lasting four weeks or longer, due to complications from the disease
• Mortality
  Individuals aged 60 and older who have not received a tetanus vaccine or a booster within the last ten years are at a higher risk of mortality in tetanus cases.

What are the benefits of getting a tetanus vaccination?

The tetanus vaccination enables the body to neutralize the toxoids released by the bacteria, which cause severe damage to the nervous system.
The combined vaccination provides almost 100% protection against these infections.

It should be emphasized that the effectiveness of the vaccine diminishes over time; therefore, it is recommended to receive a tetanus vaccine every ten years (a booster dose). In the event of an injury, it is standard practice to administer an additional dose of the tetanus vaccine if five years have elapsed since the last booster dose.

Potential side effects following a tetanus vaccination

Typically, the side effects following a tetanus vaccination are mild and may consist of pain and swelling at the injection site, a fever of up to 38 degrees Celsius, weakness, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and joint pain. These side effects are not frequent typically resolve within a few days. In rare cases, more adverse reactions may occur, including severe pain at the injection site, a fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, confusion, seizures, severe headaches, swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, as well as allergic reactions such as runny nose, cough, breathing difficulties, itching (especially in the palms and feet), rash, and an acute skin reaction (urticaria).

On very rare occasions, severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic) may occur after the vaccination. Upon receiving the vaccination, you will be requested to wait approximately 15 minutes in the clinic, as it has the appropriate medical equipment for treating these conditions. People who have developed a severe allergic reaction in the past will be asked to wait for half an hour.

Further information on medical treatment after vaccination

Recommendations regarding tetanus vaccination

Tetanus vaccination is included as part of the routine immunization schedule for all children in Israel, and the final booster dose is given at the age of 18, on the day of enlistment into the army. Afterwards, it is important to get vaccinated every 10 years.

In some cases, after an injury, it is recommended to get a booster dose if five years have elapsed since the last vaccination.

Older adults are at a high risk for complications following the disease; therefore, it is crucial to prioritize receiving a tetanus vaccination every ten years.