Vax adults for flood clean-up?

[Mosaic]

3 stories of my family's 4-level home has been severely flooded. While we wait for the water to recede, we are planning our clean up efforts, and the town is handing out tetanus and diptheria shots to those impacted by the storms (even though the CDC website says it's not necessary?).

Please, any quick thoughts on vaxing adults in this scenario?

Things to consider: those cleaning up are generally aged 25-60 and will have daily, close contact with individuals under age 3 and over age 80. The water in the home and the sediment it carried has confirmed sewage, road run-off, animal waste, and no clue what else. All adults involved likely have not had boosters in the last 10 years (except maybe the 25yo); general health is good, but not great. All will use standard precautions: face masks, rubber gloves, long pants, though consistency may vary because there are men involved and you know how they can be about wearing girly gloves.

Other tips on avoiding illness boosting immunity during this stressful time welcomed. Thanks, MDCers!

[Ophelia]

that is awful. I suppose the thing they are most concerned about is someone getting a puncture wound.
Remember that tetanus is not transmittable from person to person. So there's no such thing as herd immunity or protecting those around you by getting the vax yourself.

Here's some more info: http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/...-work/tetanus/

[Devaskyla]

No advice, sorry. I personally wouldn't do the vaxes, though.

[Mosaic]

Any thoughts about any waterborne diseases, or those typically found in areas of poor sanitation (since that's what we're looking at here)?

[Deborah]

vaxes usually aren't relevant to sanitation problem diseases, which include:
typhoid fever
all variations on the runs/food poisoning
etc.

are they offering the typhoid vax?

[Mosaic]

Can't Hepatitis be spread in sewage/contaminated water as well?

The town isn't offering any more vax at the town hall, but you could get them anywhere if needed. I got the typhoid vax several years ago and it was BAD... sent me to the ER, so I'm not about to recommend it to my parents. I'm mostly worried about them since they've had zero exposure to these kinds of bugs and have health issues which might but them at greater risk of a more serious case.