Generality
Antitetanica is the common name used to indicate the tetanus vaccine .
Tetanus is a serious disease triggered by the toxin produced by the obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani . There are many ways in which this microorganism can penetrate the organism, but in all cases there must be a skin lesion, usually deep, caused by objects or instruments contaminated by the spores of the aforementioned bacterium.
If the disease is not promptly diagnosed and treated, the implications could be tragic. The best way to prevent tetanus from appearing is precisely to carry out the specific vaccine.
Given the severity and potential lethality of tetanus, tetanus vaccination is one of the mandatory vaccines for newborns . After the first treatment cycle comprising the administration of three doses of vaccine, it is necessary to carry out periodic recalls in order to maintain protection from the contraction of the pathology.
The vaccination consists in the simple execution of an injection practiced intramuscularly in the arm and does not require any observation period.
What is that
What is Antitetanica?
Tetanus vaccination is the vaccine that is used to prevent the onset of tetanus, a dangerous disease caused by a neurotoxin produced by the bacterial microorganism Clostridium tetani .
Once administered, the vaccine induces an immune response in the patient that will protect it from attack by the aforementioned bacterium through so-called immunological memory . However, since the tetanus vaccination actively stimulates the immune system of the patient to whom it is administered, its effectiveness against the pathogen in question is not immediate, but requires a few weeks.
Composition
What does Antitetanica contain?
The vaccine contains purified tetanus anatoxin (or toxoid), which is the toxin produced by C. tetani inactivated by chemical processes that usually require the use of formaldehyde. The anatoxin thus obtained is generally adsorbed on hydrated aluminum hydroxide, useful for improving the immunological response induced by the vaccine.
Although the toxin produced by C. tetani is rendered harmless, it is nevertheless able to stimulate the vaccine recipient's immune system, thus guaranteeing protection against tetanus contraction.
Of course, in addition to tetanus anatoxin, the vaccine also contains other substances - the excipients - whose task is to guarantee the stability and conservation of the formulation.
Types of tetanus
Types of Vaccines against Tetanus
Currently available tetanus vaccines can be of different types. In detail, tetanus anatoxin can be found inside vaccines either as a single component, or in combination with other inactivated anatoxins and / or viruses. In this regard it is possible to distinguish five different types of vaccine:
- Monovalent tetanus vaccine .
- Bivalent antidiftotetanic vaccine, that is, against tetanus and diphtheria (it contains both tetanus and diphtheria anatoxin).
- Trivalent diftotetanopertosse vaccine, protects the individual from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (contains tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis anatoxin).
- Trivalent diftotetanopoly vaccine, protects the individual from tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis (contains tetanus and diphtheria anatoxin plus one or more inactivated polio virus strains).
- Tetravalent antidiftotethane-pertussis-polio vaccine, protects the individual from tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio (contains tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and one or more inactivated polio virus strains).
Vaccination obligation
Since and for which subjects is Tetanus Vaccination mandatory?
Vaccination against tetanus was made mandatory in 1968 for all newborns starting in 1963. However, in 1963 the tetanus had already been made mandatory for sportsmen affiliated to CONI federations and for workers and workers considered to risk for the contraction of infection supported by C. tetani .
Did you know that ...
For conscripts, tetanus vaccination was made mandatory even in 1938.
The tetanus vaccine is still imposed by current legislation on all newborns, therefore, it falls within the list of mandatory vaccinations for children . After the period of childhood, it is advisable to carry out periodic reminders even in adulthood, without prejudice to the obligation of vaccination for individuals belonging to categories at risk (such as, for example, metalworkers, metallurgists, construction workers, narrow streets, roadmen, garbage collectors, cattle ranchers or those who deal - directly or indirectly - with cattle and horses, etc.).
In any case, to date (2018), the tetanus vaccine is free, both for children and adolescents and for adults.
When and How to Get Vaccinated
When and how should tetanus vaccination be done?
Since in Italy the vaccination against tetanus is mandatory for newborns, it must be done within the year of the child 's life .
The administration of the vaccine involves the execution of a simple intramuscular injection practiced in the arm . Clearly, this operation must be done by a doctor.
In order to obtain adequate protection, tetanus vaccination must be carried out according to very specific schemes. In fact, at first it is necessary to carry out the so-called primary vaccination which will be followed by periodic recalls made after precise time intervals.
Primary Vaccination
Primary vaccination means the first cycle of vaccines that is given to those who have never received tetanus anatoxin before.
More precisely, the primary vaccination consists in the administration of three doses of vaccine that must be injected at well defined intervals of time. Currently, since it is mandatory for newborns, the primary vaccination usually begins at the third month of age. Despite this, adults born before the introduction of the vaccination obligation can still receive the primary vaccination at any time, except in the case where there are no specific contraindications (see the dedicated chapter).
The dose of product administered to perform primary vaccination usually contains 40 IU of tetanus anatoxin .
Primary vaccination in newborns
The administration of the first three doses of tetanus vaccine in newborns is usually performed according to the following scheme:
- Administration of the first dose at the third month of life of the newborn;
- Administration of the second dose after 6-8 weeks from the first;
- Administration of the third dose after 6-12 months from the second.
Primary vaccination in adults
The scheme for primary vaccination in adult individuals is completely comparable to that described above for newborns and is as follows:
- Administration of the first dose on the established date ;
- Administration of the second dose after 6-8 weeks from the first;
- Administration of the third dose after 6-12 months from the second.
Review of Tetanus Vaccination
Unfortunately, the duration of the protection provided by the primary tetanus vaccination is not permanent, for this reason it is necessary to carry out periodic reminders during the entire life of the patient.
For boosters, the dose of tetanus anatoxin administered can vary from 40 to 20 IU
Once the primary vaccination has been carried out, the first recall is usually expected after 4-5 years . After that, subsequent calls must be made every 10 years .
What to do when the Antetetanic has "expired"?
If the tetanus vaccination has "expired" - that is, if more than ten years have elapsed since the last recall - and you find yourself exposed to a real risk of contracting C. tetani infection, you must contact your doctor who, most likely, he will undertake an immunoprophylaxis by administering tetanus immunoglobulin to which an antibiotic therapy may be added. In association with prophylaxis with immunoglobulin and antibiotics it is also possible to carry out tetanus vaccination.
Side effects
What side effects can cause tetanus vaccination?
Although tetanus vaccination is generally well tolerated, it is not possible to exclude the appearance of side effects which, however, in most cases are mild and transient.
Among the possible side effects caused by the administration of the tetanus vaccine, we find:
- Inflammation and swelling at the injection site (generally, of short duration);
- Pain at the injection site and in the area surrounding it. In some cases, the pain may last a few days.
- Temperature;
- Feeling of general malaise;
- Headache (generally uncommon);
- Muscle and / or joint pains;
- Dizziness.
Finally, it should be remembered that, after the administration of the vaccine, although this is a rare possibility, there is still the possibility of developing allergic reactions .
Contraindications
Are there any contraindications to the administration of tetanus vaccination?
The main contraindications to tetanus vaccination concern above all the appearance of allergic reactions following previous administrations of the same vaccine.
Other contraindications concern the presence of active infections, the presence of neurological disorders and the presence of immunosuppressive therapies in progress .
Furthermore, it should be remembered that caution should be exercised with the administration of antithetanus in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, in therapy with anticoagulants or with a tendency to convulsions.
However, it should be noted that the possible contraindications may vary depending on the type of vaccine used to carry out or renew the tetanus protection (monovalent, bivalent, trivalent or tetravalent vaccine), therefore depending on the presence of other inactivated anatoxins and / or viruses within the preparation.
However, usually, before administering the vaccine, the doctor asks the patient a series of questions in order to determine or exclude the presence of any contraindications to tetanus vaccination.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Generally, pregnancy and lactation are not a contraindication to the administration of tetanus vaccination. However, it is still necessary to inform your doctor of your gestation or breastfeeding condition.
Why get vaccinated
Why is it necessary to carry out Tetanus Vaccination and subsequent Recalls?
Notwithstanding the fact that tetanus vaccination in our country is COMPULSORY for newborns and those considered at risk, the reason why it is important to do so lies in the severity of the pathology induced by C. tetani .
When it enters the body, in fact, the bacterium in question begins to produce a dangerous neurotoxin (the tetanus toxin or tetanospasmin ) which, acting at the level of the nervous system, causes painful muscle spasms. These spasms usually start from the jaw and then involve the muscles of the entire body. If not promptly treated, tetanus can degenerate leading to serious complications and death of the patient. The success of the treatment, however, does not depend only on the timeliness with which the disease is diagnosed and treated, but also on the severity of the infection that has affected the individual and on the identification of the correct therapeutic strategy to be undertaken.
In light of what has been said so far, it is clear that it is essential to prevent the onset of tetanus rather than treat it once it has manifested itself and the only really effective way to do this is to perform the tetanus vaccination.
To learn more: Tetanus »
