Tetanus spores are commonly found in the environment as they are the normal inhabitants of the intestines of animals, and, thus, are normally found in animal droppings or faeces.
Tetanus affects the nerves after an open wound is infected by tetanus spores. The infected person will have stiffness of the jaw, the neck and severe muscle spasms of the abdomen and back.
To ensure children in Ekurhuleni are safe from the infection, the Ekurhuleni metro will be conducting a tetanus, measles and human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation campaign in the month of October.
Vaccinations against tetanus (Diftavax Td) will take place during the school holidays October 4 to 10, and at clinics and at selected strategic communication points for children aged six to 12 years.
The measles second dose vaccine is a booster for the children who have missed the first dose of the measles vaccine.
It will be administered to children from 18 months to five years at crèches and clinics, until the end of October.
The HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer will be made available for girls aged between 9 years and 14 years at schools where the vaccination procedure will be performed by school health nurses.
The metro encourages all parents to participate in this catch-up campaigns by taking their children to get vaccinated.
Consent forms will be sent out to parents whose children attend crèches and nursery schools to obtain permission for the vaccination. – @CarmenBoksburg
