Tetanus

Tetanus is a bacterial disease that is primarily found in soil but also the human and animal intestinal track. Transmission to humans is primarily through an infected wound. Due to the bacterial mostly being found in the soil, humans cannot infect another with tetanus, therefore eradication is not possible and the vaccinations only protect the individual in this case (2).

The tetanus vaccine is a toxoid, that is part of the TDaP vaccination. The vaccine is similar to the diphtheria vaccine though it includes 3 to 4x the toxoid than the diphtheria. The TDaP first dose is given at 2 months of age and then the next three doses are spaced out four weeks apart. It is 100% effective in preventing tetanus infections though it does require a booster shot every ten years (2).

Since tetanus is not communicable to other humans, if the vaccinations stopped it would only affect the individual what had a wound outdoors. Herd immunity is not a factor when it comes to this disease (2).

(1)

¹7th graders reminded to get Tdap vaccination. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.hubcityspokes.com/front-page-slideshow-news-hattiesburg-lamar-county-petal/7th-graders-reminded-get-tdap-vaccination 

²Pinkbook. (2019, April 15). Retrieved May 2, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html