Tetanus is given as part of the primary childhood immunisation schedule. It is an inactivated vaccine and only available in combination:
- diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis/inactivated polio vaccine/Haemophilus influenzae type b/Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB)
- diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis/inactivated polio vaccine (DtaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV)
- tetanus/diphtheria/inactivated polio vaccine (Td/IPV).
Please see Chapter 30 of the Green Book for further detail.
The spores of Clostridium tetani are present in soil or manure and may be introduced into the body through a puncture wound, burn or scratch – which may go unnoticed. The bacteria grow anaerobically at the site of the injury. Where patients have sustained a tetanus-prone wound, care should be sought from a minor injuries service.
Note that People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) are also more prone.
In Lothian minor injury care is provided by:
- Lothian’s Minor Injury Assessment service – patients can access directly via 111
- Many – but not all – GP practices offer minor injuries care under the Local Enhanced Service scheme and, where indicated, will give tetanus vaccination as part of that.
