The message <[log in to unmask]>
from Rowley Cottingham <[log in to unmask]> contains
these words:
> It has been around for some time; I have not given tetanus boosters to
> the over 5 and under 15 population for about 4 years now, as they
> receive
> Diftavax, the combined vaccine, at 15 anyway. In general terms it is
> nothing to do with us, and tetanus immunisation used to be given with
> every
> scratch. With an ageing population we would do more good
> opportunistically checking blood pressure.
There is some merit in that argument *except* that tetanus immunisation
only became routine in 1961. Many (in the list and outside it) were born
before then and might not have had primary immunisation as babies. (I
had mine as a 'catch up' at the age of 15.)
Tetanus immunisation is not routine in Denmark and I have no idea of
immunisation schedules in other countries. *Many* of the patients I see
were not born in the UK.
The generation of men who had tetanus immunisation in the Army is
passing on and many older patients cannot recall *ever* having a tetanus
injection. I still start/boost tetanus immunisation in these, if they
have open wounds.
My view is that tetanus immunity is still an issue, especially in older women.
--
Helen D. Vecht: [log in to unmask]
Edgware.
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