State and City Health Departments Advise People to Get a Tetanus Vaccine to

Prevent Possible Infection

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he has signed an Executive

Order that will make it easier for people in areas affected by Hurricane

Sandy to be vaccinated against tetanus to prevent infections that could

result from exposure to tetanus bacteria during post-storm cleanup

activities. Under the Order, pharmacists will be allowed to administer

tetanus shots at their place of business, and emergency medical technicians

(EMTs) and dentists will be able to assist city or county health

departments in administering tetanus vaccines.

?Protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers has been our main priority

before, during and after Hurricane Sandy,? Governor Cuomo said. ?It is

critical that people performing cleanup work after the storm take all

necessary health precautions, including getting a tetanus vaccination if

needed. The Order will help to make the process easier and faster for

those in storm-affected areas.?

Due to the possibility of getting deep cuts or wounds when cleaning up

debris, performing tasks that involve contact with soil or dirty materials,

or making repairs to homes in the aftermath of the Hurricane Sandy, people

need to guard against tetanus infection. Emergency responders, volunteers

and residents working on repair, construction and cleanup projects should

check to make sure they have been immunized for tetanus within the last 10

years; if they are not up-to-date with the immunization or are unsure of

the date of their last tetanus-containing vaccination, they should obtain a

tetanus booster.

The New York State Health Department and the New York City Department of

Health and Mental Hygiene urge people to contact their primary health care

provider first to receive a tetanus booster shot. If their primary care

provider is not operating or they cannot get to their primary care

provider?s office, individuals should contact their local pharmacy or local

health department to inquire about receiving a booster shot. Many

pharmacies in the affected areas are ready to provide these vaccinations.

Residents in New York City can call 311 to locate a vaccination site.

This week, the State Health Department delivered a total of 5,000 doses of

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to the following counties:

Suffolk County, 1,500 doses; Nassau County, 1,500 doses; Rockland County,

1,000 doses; and Westchester County 1,000 doses. New York City has both

Tdap and Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine on hand.

Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria that are present in dust, soil

or manure, and enters the body through puncture wounds or cuts. After

entering the body, the bacteria can produce toxins that can cause painful

muscle contractions in the neck and abdomen, which are often characterized

as "lockjaw", and can impair breathing. Left untreated, tetanus can be

fatal.

In addition to following safety guidelines to prevent injuries during

cleanup or construction activities, all wounds and cuts should be washed

thoroughly with soap and water. Medical attention should be sought for

puncture wounds and lacerations. People who do sustain injuries and have

not had a tetanus booster in the past five years should be revaccinated as

part of treatment for the injury.

As a result of widespread immunization, tetanus is a rare disease in the

U.S. All children who attend day care in New York State, as well as those

entering grades K-12 are required under State law to receive a series of

immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. A booster vaccine

(Tdap) is also required for children born after January 1, 1994, who will

be enrolled in grades 6-11.

The vaccine may be effective after a person suffers a wound, but in some

cases, tetanus immune globulin may be required. A tetanus booster in the

form of a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis)

vaccination is recommended and will provide protection against two

additional diseases. A Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster can also be

used. Tdap is preferred over Td when available and will provide adults with

protection against pertussis (whooping cough), which has seen a rise in the

number of reported cases statewide this year.

Additional information on tetanus is available at:

http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/tetanus/fact_sheet.htm/.