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Does every in jury requi re Tetanus im m unizat ion in ch i ldren?

A seven year o ld boy imm unized as per h is age brought by fa ther t o Urgent Care w i th compla in t s o f

fa l l w hi le r id ing bicycle. Chi ld h ad sustained sm al l lacerat ion over fo rehead. Chi ld had simi lar h is tory

of fa l l f ive m ont hs back and had received tetanus vacc ine. Does he requi re repeat dose of tetanus

imm uniza t ion th is t ime?

Injuries are very common in childhood. It is one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality

throughout the world. Management of injury usually involves pain relieving, care of the wound and

preventive measure from tetanus which may include tetanus immunization and or tetanus

immunoglobulin. In day to today practice, we often come across situations in which parents worries

about tetanus infection and insist on injecting tetanus vaccine after every minor injury. So what are the

evidence based guidelines or recommendations for tetanus vaccinations following injury? Do we have to

inject Tetanus vaccine after every injury?

Tetanus was prevalent in pre vaccination era. But after the introduction of vaccine its incidence has

decreased tremendously. Tetanus germs are found in soil which contaminates the wound following

injury. In non vaccinated individuals this germ multiplies, releases a toxin known as tetanus toxoid which

directly affect nervous system and produce rigidity in the body and difficulty in breathing which may

prove fatal. In vaccinated children, preformed antibodies detoxify the toxin and the adverse effects will

be avoided so thats why vaccination is important.

How m any vacc ines does chi ld requi re?

Routine primary immunization includes three DPT vaccines within 4 months of life. There after 3

boosters at 18 month, 4and year and at 10 year. Once child had received initially three vaccines he

does not require tetanus vaccine after minor injury up to 10 years.

Dr Bharat Choud hary

Pediatric Emergency Physician

Urgent Care

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W hich vacc ine t o b e given?

For children aged