A 13-year-old boy had to be treated in the intensive care unit of the Kepler University Hospital in Linz because he was seriously ill with tetanus (lockjaw). Adequate vaccination protection could have prevented this life-threatening infection. In addition, the vaccination is included in the free vaccination program. “We urge all parents to check their children’s full vaccination protection and catch up on the tetanus vaccination if necessary”, says Ariane Biebl, Senior Physician at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz and specialist group representative for paediatrics in the Medical Association for Upper Austria. Regardless of whether it is tetanus, HPV, the flu or TBE (ticks): It is important to accept the offer.
The tetanus vaccination is included in the free vaccination program and is administered with the six-fold vaccination in the third, fifth and eleventh to twelfth month of life. The combination vaccination is repeated at elementary school age. Thereafter, a refresher every ten years up to the age of 60 is strongly recommended. This vaccination package protects you against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (polio) – all of which are serious to life-threatening infectious diseases that you can keep in check with a small stitch.
Source: Nachrichten
