75% Finns know not tetanus vaccination rota

Only one in four Finns know at what age tetanus vaccination should be boosted, finds a recent Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) survey on awareness of tetanus and tetanus vaccinations among Finns.

Tetanus vaccines are included in the national immunisation programme. Children are vaccinated at a child health clinic and at school. The vaccination schedule for adults changed last year, said a THL press release.

“Today, adults’ tetanus protection is boosted at the age of 25, 45 and 65. After that, the protection should be boosted every ten years,” said THL Chief Physician Ulpu Elonsalo.

Elonsalo said, “Healthcare professionals should increase awareness on the new vaccination schedule. It is important that as many people as possible know when their own protection should be strengthened.”

Only a few per cent of Finns are unaware of how tetanus can be caught, for example, nearly all the respondents were able to mention animal bites or a wound exposed to soil.

“Most Finns, for example, do outdoor activities, gardening or travel abroad every now and then. It is therefore important to ensure that one’s own vaccine protection never expires. Free vaccination is available at the health centres,” mentioned Elonsalo.

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in the soil.