Tetanus infection (lockjaw) is still considered one of the most life-threatening infectious diseases. Therefore, tetanus vaccination is considered essential by most physicians to prevent disease in the event of injury.
What is tetanus vaccination?
The tetanus vaccine is administered to protect wounds from the risk of highly dangerous tetanus infection, which is fatal in one-third of cases. The tetanus vaccine is administered to protect wounds from the risk of highly dangerous tetanus infection, which is fatal in one-third of cases. This disease causes convulsions and paralysis when tetanus bacteria have entered the body through a wound. Tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) are present as spores everywhere in our environment, e.g. in soil, dust, wood and on the skin, and also in animal excretions. These bacteria can only thrive in the absence of oxygen, which is why covering open wounds can promote infection. Tetanus disease is triggered by a toxin released by the bacteria. Tetanus vaccination involves injecting tetanol into a muscle, a vaccine that protects against the toxins (tetanus toxins) by neutralizing their damaging effects. Even if there is insufficient vaccine protection when an injury occurs, tetanus vaccination given quickly can usually prevent infection. Tetanus vaccination as a preventive and protective measure is particularly important because no antidote to tetanus is yet available.
Function, effect, and goals
Without a tetanus vaccination, there is a constant risk of becoming infected. Therefore, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends basic immunization and regular boosters, because the acquired vaccine protection lasts only for a certain period of time. In the case of a fresh injury, a booster vaccination is additionally recommended for affected persons over 60 years of age if the last tetanus vaccination was more than five years ago. Affected individuals without vaccine protection who have been injured should see their doctor immediately to receive a tetanus vaccination. The basic immunization of three shots is given at intervals of at least four weeks and is usually given along with other vaccinations while the child is still an infant. If it has been missed, it can be made up for later. Once a complete basic immunization has been given, it does not have to be repeated for life. However, the tetanus vaccination must be refreshed, first between the ages of 5 and 6, then between the ages of 9 and 17, usually combined again with other important vaccinations such as those against diphtheria, pertussis and polio. It is important to note that adults should also have their tetanus vaccination booster every ten years or so. A tetanus vaccination is injected into the upper arm muscle. It is a so-called dead vaccination because it contains only the weakened, rendered harmless toxin of the tetanus bacterium (tetanus toxin). This means that although no infection is triggered in the vaccinated person, a desired defense reaction is triggered in the body. The tetanus vaccination causes the immune system to produce antibodies against the tetanus infection. The protection rate of the tetanus vaccine is nearly 100%.
Risks, side effects, and dangers
The tetanus vaccine itself cannot cause tetanus disease because the vaccine only contains the toxin of the bacterium that has been rendered harmless. On the other hand, the tetanus vaccination does not provide lasting protection, so it must be regularly refreshed, which many people are not aware of. Especially older people over 60 often forget when a booster vaccination is due. However, it is precisely for this population group that a tetanus infection poses a greater risk than for younger people. In some cases, a tetanus vaccination should only be given after careful discussion with the doctor, e.g. if the person concerned suffers from a severe defect in the immune system or during treatment with drugs that weaken the body’s own defenses. The same applies in the event that a patient has previously experienced serious difficulties after a vaccination. Caution is also advised before surgery or during pregnancy. Even though the tetanus vaccination is given with inactivated vaccine and is therefore normally well tolerated, redness, tenderness, itching or swelling often occurs at the injection site due to the stimulation of the body’s own defenses.Other side effects are less common. For example, those affected may experience severe swelling, temperature increase or fever, headache, muscle pain or gastrointestinal discomfort after vaccination. But these complaints usually disappear after a few days. Allergic reactions are even rarer, and only in isolated cases have nervous system disorders occurred after tetanus vaccination.
