Vaxitet Vaccine 5 ml

Indications

Adsorbed Tetanus Vaccine (tetanus toxoid, TT) is used to protect against tetanus, a serious and often fatal disease caused by a toxin from bacteria that enter the body through wounds. It is given for routine immunisation of adolescents and adults, to pregnant women to protect both mother and newborn baby from tetanus, as booster doses, and after injuries when a person's tetanus protection is not up to date.

How It Works

The vaccine contains tetanus toxin that has been made harmless (toxoid) and attached (adsorbed) to an aluminium salt. It cannot cause tetanus. It trains the immune system to make antibodies, so if the real toxin enters the body later, the antibodies neutralise it before it can cause disease.

Dosage and Administration

The vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle (usually the upper arm) by a doctor, nurse or trained vaccinator, following the national immunisation schedule. For women of child-bearing age and pregnant women, a series of doses is given at set intervals, with boosters later, as scheduled by the health worker. After a wound, the doctor decides whether a booster dose and/or tetanus immunoglobulin is needed. Shake well before use.

Interactions

• Medicines that weaken the immune system (such as steroids in high doses, cancer medicines or Cyclosporine) may reduce the response to the vaccine.
• It can be given at the same time as other vaccines, using a different injection site.
• When given with tetanus immunoglobulin after an injury, use separate syringes and different sites.

Contraindications

• Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any component of the vaccine.
• Serious nerve reaction (such as Guillain-Barre syndrome) after a previous tetanus vaccine, unless the doctor decides otherwise.
• Vaccination should be postponed during a high fever or acute illness; a minor cold is not a reason to delay.

Side Effects

Common effects are pain, redness, swelling or a small lump at the injection site, mild fever, tiredness, headache and body aches for 1 to 2 days. Too-frequent booster doses can cause more local reactions.

Get urgent medical help if, within minutes to hours, there is swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, widespread hives, fainting or collapse, or later weakness or numbness spreading in the arms or legs.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Tetanus vaccine is safe and recommended in pregnancy to protect the mother and baby from tetanus. It can be given during breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

Vaccines are given by trained health workers where treatment for allergic reactions is available; stay for about 15 to 30 minutes after the injection. Use with care in people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners (pressure on the site afterwards). People with a weak immune system may respond less well. Keep a record of each dose.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely as the vaccine is given by health professionals. Extra doses may increase local reactions.

Therapeutic Class

Vaccine; bacterial toxoid (tetanus).

Storage

Store in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Protect from light. Handled by the clinic or pharmacy as directed on the pack.