Keep your tetanus vaccination up to date
Everyone should have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination. The vaccine provides strong protection against tetanus.
The tetanus vaccine is part of the national vaccination programme in Finland, and is available free of charge at health centres.
Tetanus protection needs boosting
Children receive their tetanus vaccinations at maternity and child health clinics and at school. Adults need a booster dose at ages 25, 45, and 65. In other words, if it has been more than 20 years since the last vaccination, a booster should be taken. For those over 65, a booster is given every 10 years.
Vaccination status should be checked in adulthood if a person sustains a dirty wound. When treating a dirty wound, a doctor will assess whether an additional tetanus vaccination is needed if it has been more than 10 years since the adult's last vaccination.
Children who have received vaccinations according to the vaccination programme have adequate tetanus protection. They do not need a booster dose after sustaining a wound. If any vaccinations in the programme have been missed, they are brought up to date with the age-appropriate vaccine from the programme.
Deep puncture wounds carry a risk of tetanus
The tetanus bacterium causes tetanus. The bacterium is common in soil and thrives as a spore on almost all surfaces.
Tetanus is most likely to be contracted through deep puncture wounds, for example, if a rose thorn pierces deeply or an animal bites causing a deep wound. Wounds contaminated with soil or sand also carry a risk of tetanus.
The tetanus bacterium multiplies in the absence of oxygen. When the bacterium enters a deep, oxygen-free wound, it can cause tetanus.
Tetanus can be contracted from even a very small puncture. The only protection against it is regular vaccination, which keeps antibody levels sufficiently high.
Tetanus is treated in hospital
Before vaccinations began, tetanus was a common, life-threatening disease.
Even a small amount of the toxin paralyses the nervous control of the muscles. Advanced tetanus leads to respiratory failure.
Tetanus is always treated in hospital. Thanks to intensive care, the prognosis for patients is good.
More information
Information on tetanus (in Finnish)
