Tetanus vaccine vital for all age groups

A nurse administers a Tetanus vaccine to an infant. Even adults should be vaccinated against the disease. Photo by Joseph Kato.

What you need to know:

Regardless of one’s age, sex or work, it is very crucial to be vaccinated against Tetanus. The only way one can be safe is by being re-vaccinated against it at least every five years.

While at Young Children Clinic and Development Centre, Mulago Hospital, I meet Hasifah Nabagesera with her three-month-old baby girl.

She has brought it to for the third shot of Tetanus vaccine. In a brief chat with her, I realise she is aware of the benefits of immunising children against Tetanus but does not know that even adults need to be vaccinated against the killer disease.

Like several people, the 29-year- old mother of two thinks it is only babies and pregnant mothers supposed to get a shot of Tetanus.

Even men are not aware of the benefits of being vaccinated against the disease. For instance James Kwizera a taxi driver at Mulago taxi park says, “ebyo by’abaana bato. Kati nange omusajja omukulu ngansimba line mbu yakwegemesa Tetanus,” loosely translated as, “those are things meant for children. How can an old man like me line up for Tetanus vaccination?

What you should know
Rose Ssematimba, a public health nurse at Young Children Clinic and Development Centre in Mulago Hospital says women in the reproductive age (15 to 45 years) are always encouraged to get a shot of Tetanus vaccine even when they are not pregnant. This, she says helps to prepare them for safe motherhood.

Dr Herbert Kayiga, a gynaecologist at Case Medical Hospital, says it is important for all expecting mothers to be immunised against Tetanus since it helps to protect the baby from neonatal tetanus during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Pregnant mothers get their first shot of Tetanus vaccine the first time they report for antenatal service. The second shot is administered after a one month interval.

The vaccine passes via the placenta and reaches the child to protect it from tetanus during pregnancy, labour and in the first six weeks after birth.

According to Dr Jennifer Zungu head of paediatric department at Case Medical Hospital, children are given the first shot of tetanus known as Pentavalent at six weeks of age. Penta means five injections in one. The Pentavalent shot protects a child against five child diseases such as diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio and Measles.

Children should, however, be given a Tetanus booster. Dr Zungu further stresses, “If your child is 10 years and above, you should take them to get a tetanus booster. Besides, when a child sustains any serious wound, they should be rushed to hospitals to get a Tetanus booster within the first 21 days.”

In case the child has symptoms such as sudden fevers, stiff neck, jack movements, forced smile, stiff body muscles or convulsions, it could be Tetanus. Thus it is advisable for parents to rush their children to hospitals once they notice the above-mentioned symptoms.

Doctors’ advice
Dr Nestor Mbabazi a paediatrician at St Jordan Clinic on Gayaza Road says, “I don’t know why some people think it is only toddlers that need to be immunised against Tetanus. Most people forget that it is possible for an adult person to suffer or succumb to Tetanus.”

Dr Mbabazi defines Tetanus as a medical condition characterised by prolonged contraction of the skeletal muscle fibres. It is marked by rigidity of muscles. The disease is caused by bacteria known as clostridium. It enters the body via a wound.

The bacteria take three to 14 days to incubate or multiply. After the incubation period, it produces toxins known as tetanospasmin. This toxin moves into the nerves until it reaches the muscle nerve junctions and stimulates muscle contraction.

Bacteria which cause tetanus infection live in dirty environments where there is mud or animal droppings such as cow dung. It survives in such environment by means of spores which give it a chance to survive even during dry season.

The bacteria enters the human body through an opening for example, a wound and umbilical cord especially in newborns.

“Tetanus is one of the diseases with high mortality rate. It can kill over 90 per cent of people infected,” states Mbabazi, adding that although we are all equally prone to Tetanus, people who work in environments with cutting objects such as glass, iron sheets, nails and others should go for Tetanus re-vaccination before they sustain big wounds.

This, he notes, would help them to have enough protection against the disease.

There are no warning symptoms of Tetanus vaccine deficiency in the body. You can only know that your immunity was low after you have already contracted the disease,” Dr Mbabazi explains.

According to Dr Mbabazi, one can only stop being vaccinated against Tetanus when they have breathed their last. “Tetanus vaccine has no associated side effects. That is why I encourage people to have it as often as possible,” he remarks.

KEY ISSUES TO NOTE
Government should sensitise the public about the importance of getting a Tetanus vaccine.

There are no warning symptoms of Tetanus vaccine deficiency in the body. You can only know that your immunity was low after you have already contracted the disease.

Men should encourage and support their wives to attend the antenatal visits.
First time mothers should get the first shot at 18-24 weeks of pregnancy and the second administered a month later.