Tetanus - Diseases and Vaccines

Immunisation
Tetanus

Bacteria
Tetanus is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria usually found in the soil.

Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX^®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPV^TM and Boostrix^TM.

How it is spread
Bacteria enters the body through wounds such as cuts, grazes and puncture wounds. This could happen, for example, from a scratch or cutting yourself when gardening.

Symptoms
The symptoms usually appear within four to five days and include weakness, stiffness, cramps and difficulty in chewing and swallowing food.

Illness
Bacteria in the wound produce a toxin. This toxin causes the muscles to stiffen around the jaw, neck, back, chest, abdomen and limbs. There may
be a high temperature and sweating. The toxin irritates the nerves, causing severe muscle spasms and difficulty in breathing.

Continuing protection
To ensure protection continues, a Td booster is offered at 45 and 65 years of age. Boosters may also be needed after some cuts, grazes and wounds when you will need to see your doctor. The vaccine is free but you will need to pay a small administration fee. Ask your doctor or nurse for more information.

Severe risks associated with tetanus

The bacteria produce toxins which cause painful muscle spasms and lockjaw.
Hospital intensive care treatment is needed.
About one in 10 patients dies.
The risk is greatest for the very young or old.

Severe risks associated with the vaccine

About 0.5 to one in 100,000 recipients may develop nerve inflammation (pain and weakness) in the arm.

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Page last updated: 23 June 2008