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close this bookWhere Women Have No Doctor - A Health Guide for Women (Hesperian Foundation, 1997, 600 p.)
close this folderChapter 10: Staying Healthy
close this folderSpecial Needs of Women
View the documentRest and exercise
View the documentRegular health exams
View the documentSafer sex
View the documentFamily planning
View the documentGood care during pregnancy and birth
View the documentVaccinations against tetanus
View the documentRegular breast exams

Vaccinations against tetanus

Tetanus is an infection that kills. A woman can get tetanus when a germ that lives in the stools of people or animals enters her body through a wound. Although anyone can get tetanus, women and babies are especially at risk during childbirth. Tetanus can enter the body if an instrument that is not properly disinfected is put into the womb or used to cut the baby’s cord.

All girls and pregnant women should be vaccinated against tetanus. If a woman is pregnant and has not been vaccinated, she should have an injection at her first prenatal checkup, and a second injection at least a month later. Then, if possible, she should follow the rest of the schedule.

Tetanus immunization schedule:

No. 1: at first visit

No. 2: at least 1 month after first injection
No. 3: at least 6 months after 2nd injection
No. 4: at least 1 year after 3rd injection
No. 5: at least 1 year after 4th injection

Then get an injection every 10 years.