Tetanus Vaccine

The disease

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a severe disease caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The spores of this bacterium, which are reproductive cells, are commonly found in our natural environment, such as soil, house dust, nature, animal excrement, and human feces. The bacterium spores can enter the body through cuts or wounds and, once inside, transform into active bacteria, producing a toxoid that can cause severe damage to the nervous system.

Any injury that involves contact with bacterial spores can lead to tetanus development among unvaccinated individuals. Deep wounds, which involve tissue destruction and are contaminated with soil, feces, or saliva, pose a tremendous risk. This disease does not transmit from one person to another.

The tetanus disease is characterized by fever, sweating, an accelerated heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, seizures, and intense and painful cramps that may lead to paralysis in various muscle groups. The most frequent complication involves the tightening of the jaw muscles, resulting in the inability to open the mouth or swallow, and it can potentially lead to a cessation of breathing. The tetanus vaccine is valid for 5 to 10 years. Most people who have had tetanus were not vaccinated or did not get the booster vaccine in the previous ten years. 10% to 20% of the tetanus patients may die.

The influence of the vaccine in Israel: before 1955, dozens of cases of tetanus were reported each year. However, in 1955, with the introduction of the tetanus vaccine into routine vaccines, there has been a significant reduction in the disease. Only a few cases have been documented among individuals who were not vaccinated.

Vaccine completion: if your child is in school age and has not been given a tetanus vaccine, which is included in the birth to 18 years immunization schedule, you can contact the school nurse to schedule the vaccine completion. In addition, the health staff of the school will inform you of complementary vaccines your child needs and help you schedule them with your consent.

More on the immunization completion

• Redness and pain at the injection site and local swelling or in the entire limb: you can apply a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water to the injection site and avoid massaging the area.
• Fever: you can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain and reduce fever.
• General discomfort: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, consistent crying, diarrhea, restlessness, drowsiness: You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain and reduce fever.
• Rare phenomena: seizures appearing up to three days after vaccination. These seizures are usually related to the fever and are not considered dangerous or cause permanent nerve damage.

Further information about vaccine side effects