Review of Tetanus Vaccine

Hui-Ching Yang^＊, Chen-Ku Wen, Cheng-Dow Lee

2015 Vol.31 NO.8

Correspondence Author： Hui-Ching Yang

Abstract：

Tetanus is a disease caused by Clostridium tetani, and was first described by Hippocrates in 400BC. The mortality rate was high until tetanus toxoid was invented in 1924. Thepolicy of fully vaccination was started in 1956 in Taiwan, and the annualreported cases are about 20 cases in recent years. According to the estimationby WHO in 2008, there are more than 50,000 neonatal deaths due to tetanus.Though a 92% reduction compared to 1980s, it is still an important publichealth issue in poor and undeveloped countries.  In the past decade there was no neonatal tetanus case in Taiwan. Ourepidemic prevention strategies are maintaining and elevating vaccination rates, ensuring the supply ofvaccines, and enhancing the hygiene conception of citizens in the future.