Tetanus vaccine shipped out

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday 12th June 2013

 VACCINES for the supplementary immunisation activity (SIA) against the tetanus infection have been transported to all provinces in preparation for the nationwide activity starting on Monday. 

The SIA campaign is targeting all females including pregnant women aged 15 to 45 years to be vaccinated and protected against tetanus through the tetanus toxoid (TT) immunisation.

The Health Department and its United Nations partners will conduct round three of the TT immunisation from June 17 to July 26.  Rounds one and two took place in April to May and October to December last year. The launching of round three of the TT immunisation will take place in Port Moresby next week. 

The goal of the campaign is to prevent tetanus in newborn babies through the mother, who is protected from tetanus. 

Tetanus is a serious infection that occurs when the infectious organism enters the body through an open wound. 

It occurs in newborn infants when the umbilical cord is cut with unsterile cutting instrument or when the end of cord becomes contaminated because of unsterile dressing.