TETANUS RISK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 15

TETANUS RISK

Immunisation Urged

Everyone should seek immunisation against tetanus, because everyone was liable to meet with an accident and be exposed to tetanus infection, the medical superin-tendent-in-chief of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Dr. T. Morton) said yesterday. He was commenting on a statement by a Kawakawa doctor, reported by the New Zealand Press Association, that all Rugby players should be immunised.

It was only too easy to suffer a wound of some sort, and If dirt got in,.tetanus was likely to enter as well, as the bacillus was very widespread, said Dr Morton. The death rate from tetanus was 50 per cent, or more of the cases diagnosed. "Recently, the Health Department has added tetanus vaccine to the old 'double* diphtheria and whooping cough vaccination given children,” Dr. Morton said. Adults did not need the whole ’’triple'* vaccine, but should take a course of tetanus vaccination. The vaccine was issued free to doctors, to whom application should be made for immunisation. The course consisted of three Injections of tetanus toxoid, with a booster if there was an injury later. An Injection of anti-serum—as distinct from toxoid—was often given after an accident to someone who had not been immunised, but there were dangers associated with this procedure. Persons who should make a special point of getting early immunisation were those handling hides, meat, or manures, he said.