(EPI-SA) schedule
30 November 2007
The Department of Health will next year introduce a vaccine called Diftavax
(Td) to be administered to children at the age six and twelve years. Diftavax
replaces tetanus diphtheria and is composed of tetanus toxoid and a lower
concentration of diphtheria toxoid, compared to the diphtheria in the tetanus
diphtheria vaccine that it will replace. Td vaccine has up to now been
administered to children at the age of five years.
The Td dose at 12 years is a new addition to the schedule. It is to ensure
the correct number of tetanus toxoid doses and a long enough interval between
doses, thus allowing maximum duration of protection against tetanus, which is
expected to be life long. Furthermore the revised schedule will allow for
prolonged protection against diphtheria.
Tetanus is a condition that is caused by tetanus germs (spores). Tetanus
spores are commonly found in the environment as they are the normal inhabitants
of the intestines of animals, and thus are normally found in animal droppings
or faeces. Tetanus affects the nerves after an open wound is infected by
tetanus spores. The infected person will have stiffness of the jaw, the neck
and severe muscle spasms of the abdomen and back.
Neonatal tetanus is a condition that occurs in the first month of a child's
life caused by unhygienic cord care practices. Similarly, unhygienic delivery
and wound care practices can cause a mother who is not fully protected against
tetanus to get tetanus after birth, called maternal tetanus.
As tetanus cannot be eradicated, there is a need to continue with
immunisation for both pregnant women and children. The revised policy aims to
ensure that over a period of time, the young girls who are immunised under this
schedule will be fully protected against tetanus as they grow. Thus this
generation of girls will not need tetanus toxoid immunisation during pregnancy,
when they become mothers.
The Td vaccine is safe and effective. The potential risks associated with
the natural infections of tetanus and diphtheria is much greater than the
potential risks that may be associated with the administration of the Td
vaccine. The national Department of Health would like to encourage and urge
parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are fully immunised
against childhood vaccine preventable diseases, and to report any cases of
neonatal tetanus at the nearest health facility.
Contact:
The National Expanded Programme on Immunisation in South Africa
Tell: 012 312 3110/ 3174/ 0099
For more information contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Bhungani Mzolo
Tel: 012 312 3331
Cell: 083 589 4999
Issued by: Department of Health
30 November 2007
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
