I was reading the CDC's website regarding tetanus statistics since I am considering getting the DT vaccine for my son in a couple of weeks. I have been anxious after a cat bite he received last week. It was a small puncture wound, but worrisome to me because it was a puncture wound that didn't bleed. Though my son's doctor didn't seem too concerned with this particular wound, he still recommended DT.
Here is what I came across that has made me question not vaccinating my son, at least for tetanus so far...
From CDC's website:
"Tetanus among children is uncommon in the United States. However, 13 nonneonatal cases occurred among patients aged <15 years during 1992--2000. Of these, 85% (11/13) were among children whose parents objected to vaccination (30)"
"Vaccination history was known for <60% of tetanus patients reported from 1982--2000. During 1998--2000, only 6% of all tetanus patients were known to have been up-to-date with tetanus toxoid vaccination. No deaths occurred among these vaccinated patients. This finding is consistent with previous reports that illness is less severe among patients who have a history of receiving at least a primary series of tetanus toxoid compared with tetanus among inadequately vaccinated or unvaccinated patients (2)."
And if I am reading this correctly, then they are saying that these patients received a tetanus vaccination after injury and still developed tetanus. "Ninety (96%) of the 94 patients with an acute injury had information reported regarding medical care for the injury. Of these 90 patients, 33 (37%) sought care for the acute injury. Tetanus toxoid prophylaxis for wound management was administered to 20 patients (19 of whom were eligible according to ACIP recommendations [21]); no tetanus toxoid was administered to 12 patients (11 of whom were eligible); and information was not available for one patient. Therefore, 63% (19/30) of eligible patients who sought care received tetanus toxoid prophylaxis."
Entire webpage found here. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5203a1.htm
Here is what I came across that has made me question not vaccinating my son, at least for tetanus so far...
From CDC's website:
"Tetanus among children is uncommon in the United States. However, 13 nonneonatal cases occurred among patients aged <15 years during 1992--2000. Of these, 85% (11/13) were among children whose parents objected to vaccination (30)"
"Vaccination history was known for <60% of tetanus patients reported from 1982--2000. During 1998--2000, only 6% of all tetanus patients were known to have been up-to-date with tetanus toxoid vaccination. No deaths occurred among these vaccinated patients. This finding is consistent with previous reports that illness is less severe among patients who have a history of receiving at least a primary series of tetanus toxoid compared with tetanus among inadequately vaccinated or unvaccinated patients (2)."
And if I am reading this correctly, then they are saying that these patients received a tetanus vaccination after injury and still developed tetanus. "Ninety (96%) of the 94 patients with an acute injury had information reported regarding medical care for the injury. Of these 90 patients, 33 (37%) sought care for the acute injury. Tetanus toxoid prophylaxis for wound management was administered to 20 patients (19 of whom were eligible according to ACIP recommendations [21]); no tetanus toxoid was administered to 12 patients (11 of whom were eligible); and information was not available for one patient. Therefore, 63% (19/30) of eligible patients who sought care received tetanus toxoid prophylaxis."
Entire webpage found here. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5203a1.htm
