Articles
October 14, 2024

Kya Aapko Bhi Tetanus Vaccine Ki Importance Nahi Pata?

Kya Aapko Bhi Tetanus Vaccine Ki Importance Nahi Pata?

Tetanus Vaccine is of paramount importance. We often take tetanus vaccines lightly, but did you know that according to the World Health Organisation neonatal tetanus is responsible for an estimated 24,000 deaths in 2021? And deaths from Tetanus in 2019 were 34,000.

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus, also known as "lockjaw," is a severe bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. Iss bacteria ke toxins human nervous system ko attack karte hai, leading to infection and muscle contraction. Agar untreated reh jaye toh it becomes fatal!

Babies and Tetanus

While tetanus affects both adults and babies, neonatal tetanus is a big threat to kids. Newborns are especially vulnerable to neonatal tetanus because sometimes unsanitary conditions at the time of childbirth may expose them to the bacteria.

Unlike many other diseases, Tetanus spreads through wounds, cuts, or punctures, particularly from contaminated objects like rusty nails. This makes kids more prone to the disease, for they keep falling, bumping, or injuring themselves while playing. Most of the objects they come in contact with during these injuries might be infected and can lead to infections which mere cleaning with disinfectant may not solve. This is where vaccinations come in.

Let us see what role vaccines play.

Importance of Tetanus Vaccine

Tetanus vaccine is one of the best preventive measures to protect your child against tetanus infection. As we all know, this vaccine creates immunity in children's bodies to fight this bacteria when it enters the body through a cut or wound.

All medical associations, including IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) and WHO recommend them for all children. The vaccine is administered as part of combination vaccines like DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) and DTaP, which are given in a series starting from infancy.

Because of proper vaccination Neonatal Tetanus se deaths have reduced by 97% since 1988. Despite this promising number serving as a success story for this vaccine, 30 million children missed the full tetanus vaccine series in 2020! Make sure aap in parents mein se ek naa ho. Apne baby ko Tetanus Vaccination zaroor lagvaye aur unhe safe rakhein!

Sources-

1. Indian Academy of Pediatrics
2. World Health Organisation
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)