Tetanus Vaccine (Imatet) is available that can help prevent tetanus, an infection caused by Clostridium tetanibacteria. There are four kinds of vaccines used today to protect against tetanus, all of which are combined with vaccines for other diseases:
- Diphtheria and tetanus (DT) vaccines
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines
- Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines
Tetanus vaccination is recommended for all babies, children, teens, and adults. DTaP and DT are given to children younger than 7 years old, while Tdap and Td are given to older children and adults.
Talk with your or your child’s healthcare professional if you have questions about tetanus vaccines.
Information for Healthcare Professionals
Tetanus Vaccine (Imatet) recommendations and contraindications; composition,
immunogenicity, and efficacy; storage and handling, administration details….
Imatet is a sterile suspension of purified tetanus toxoid adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide / phosphate gel as adjuvant. Thimerosal 0.01% concentration has been added as preservative i.e., 0.05 mg / dose. Each
0.5 ml dose contains 5-10 Lf corresponding to at least 40 lU. Vaccine meets the standard specification of WHO/USP/BP. The administration of the recommended doses for a complete immunization guarantees the production of a protective level of corresponding antibodies persisting for at least 10 years.
Indications Tetanus toxoid (Imatet) is a preventive vaccine against tetanus in children and adults especially those liable to be exposed to tetanus infection particularly women of child bearing age to prevent neonatal tetanus and to persons engaged in outdoor activities e.g. farm workers, gardeners, tillers and athletes etc. Tetanus toxoid is also used in the prevention of tetanus following injury and road side accidents.
0.5ml Intramuscular injection at any age.
For Non Vaccinated Individuals :
Dose 1 Any time
Dose 2 At least 1 month after first dose
Dose 3 At least 6 months after second dose
Dose 4 At least 1 year after third dose
Dose 5 At least 1 year after fourth dose
No interactions of any dose of T.T. with B.C.G.,
measles and Polio vaccines (OPV or IPV).
Emergency Prophylaxis :
Physician should proceed as follows in case of
wounds / injuries suspected of tetanus contamination:
A. If tetanus vaccination or revaccination was
performed a year or less before present injury,
prophylaxis is not necessary.
B. If tetanus vaccination or revaccination was
performed one to five years previously, a booster
dose of 0.5ml of Imatet must be given
intramuscularly.
C. If vaccination or revaccination was performed
more than five years before, it is necessary to give
a booster dose of 0.5ml tetanus toxoid and also an
injection of 1500 IU. tetanus antitoxin (Equine) or
tetanus immunoglobulin.
D. If vaccination or revaccination was not carried
out or was incomplete, tetanus antiserum as
recommended in (c) above and a complete course
of tetanus vaccination must be performed.
Patients suffering from severe infection or febrile illness and getting treatment should not be vaccinated with tetanus toxoid unless and until therapy is completed and patient has recovered fully from illness, then a tetanus toxoid dose using Imatet should be administered one month after the end of treatment.
Before the injection of any biological product the physician should take all known precautions for prevention and treatment of allergy or any other side effect. This should include a review of the patient’s history regarding possible sensitivity and should have availability of anti allergic substance required to combat any immediate allergic reaction.
1. Before use, “Imatet”, the tetanus vaccine (vial/ampoule) should be well shaken.
2. Only sterile syringes and needles should be used.
3. The vaccine should be given intramuscularly into the gluteal muscle or into the M. deltoideus, according to the choice of the physician.
4. Children, younger than 2 years should be inoculated into the M. quadriceps femoris, between the upper and middle third, on the lateral side.
5. Care should be taken not to inject into a blood vessel or the skin.
6. Open vials should not be preserved for later use.
The vaccine tetanus toxoid should be stored in a dry and dark place at temperature between +2˚C to +8˚C.
Do Not FREEZE. Once a vial has been opened, its contents should be used on the same day.
The tetanus toxoid has an expiration date of 36 months from the date of preparation; provided that the vial / ampoule is unopened and has been properly
stored.
1 dose ampoule of 0.5ml.
10 x 1 dose ampoule of 0.5ml.
1 x 10 dose vial of 5.0ml.
1 x 20 dose vial of 10.0ml.