Immunization Newsbriefs
 
Link to Main Page
  Back Search the Site Send Your Feedbck  
 
Resources
Immunization Newsbriefs
Read Current Issue Online
Search Newsbriefs Archives
Subscribe to Email Online
Unsubscribe from Email Online
About NNii
Vaccine Information
Parents
Health Professionals
Policy Makers
Pressroom
Partners
 
Read Current Newsbriefs


Tetanus Continues to Pop up in U.S.
Scripps Howard News Service;
Bowman, Lee

[06/19/2003]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new review of tetanus in the United States, finding that 130 cases of the disease were reported between 1998 and 2000, a slightly higher figure than in the three years prior to the review period. More worrisome to agency officials, however, is that it estimates over half of Americans older than 20 years are not properly vaccinated against the disease. The group that appears most at risk for the illness are those above the age of 60 years, because they have neglected to remain current with their booster shots for tetanus, which should be administered every 10 years--or they were never vaccinated in the first place, as the vaccine only entered common use after World War II. Of note, the CDC found that just half of all tetanus infections in the three-year period under consideration were caused by puncture wounds--the cause most commonly associated with the disease.

 
     
© Copyright National Network for Immunization Information. The information contained in the National Network for Immunization Information Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your health care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your health care provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Disclaimer