Why Pregnant Women Need Tetanus Vaccine

Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine is safe given to pregnant women and has been studied to prevent neonatal tetanus infection in newborns, as well as prevent the risk of tetanus in the mother and fetus in the womb. Tetanus is a common disease in developing countries, can occur in babies born with unhygienic labor conditions or the mother does not get tetanus vaccination. Tetanus that occurs in newborns is called neonatal tetanus. Prevention of tetanus is important because tetanus infection can affect the nervous system and can be fatal if left untreated. Tetanus is a life-threatening disease. The cause is a poison from the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is found in almost all types of soil, especially those containing manure. In addition, tetanus bacteria also exist in dust in the house, human and animal feces and rusty iron. Tetanus bacteria enter the body through open wounds. Although tetanus infections are more common to infect through deep wounds, such as from stab wounds, bites, burns, cuts, or ulcers, these bacteria can also infect small puncture wounds or small scratches on the skin. Bacteria that enter through the wound will release toxins, exotoxins, which spread through the bloodstream and lymph nodes. This exotoxin then binds with nerve cells, causing a characteristic stiffness and muscle spasms. This condition is considered quite severe because it can tear the muscles, causing cracks in the bones or spinal compression. When pregnant women receive the vaccine, the mother's body will form antibodies which are then passed on to the fetus as a form of natural protective measures during the womb until several months after birth.

TT Vaccine Recommendations for First Pregnancy

In the first pregnancy, the doctor will recommend Mother to undergo at least two injections of the TT vaccine. The timing of the administration itself can vary, but the most important is the principle that this vaccine is safe given during pregnancy. Most doctors give a first injection in the third trimester of pregnancy, usually at seven months of gestation. The second injection is given at least four weeks after the first injection. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends giving a third injection six months after the second injection. This third injection aims to provide protection for at least the next five years. Some other doctors prefer to give three times tetanus vaccine injections with a distance of each injection four weeks, starting at 28 weeks' gestation. There are also doctors who may give the first vaccine injection in the first trimester of pregnancy, as soon as Mother is tested positive for pregnancy.

TT Vaccine Recommendation for Second Pregnancy

If you become pregnant again within two years after giving birth, administration of the TT vaccine will depend on your mother's vaccine history. If in previous pregnancies you get two TT vaccine injections, the doctor will only recommend booster vaccine injections. Meanwhile, if the distance of the first pregnancy with the second is far enough, the doctor will assess the condition of the mother more closely to determine the need for TT vaccine. Although TT vaccine is commonly used, Tdap vaccine (a combination of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine) can also be an option. The Tdap vaccine for someone over the age of seven, including pregnant women, is actually more supported than the tetanus (TT) vaccine alone. However, the price of Tdap vaccine is relatively more expensive in Indonesia, making the tetanus vaccine (TT) the main procedure. Apart from that, pregnant women can get Tdap vaccine injections between the ages of 27-36 weeks of pregnancy. Like the TT vaccine, the Tdap vaccine can be given at any time during pregnancy, but waiting until the second trimester to give this vaccine is a reasonable preventative measure to minimize fears of teratogenic effects. The term teratogenic in medicine refers to abnormal cell development during pregnancy which causes damage to the embryo or fetus.

Side Effects of Tetanus Vaccine

After getting the tetanus vaccine, you may experience the following side effects:
  • Bintil while at the injection site.
  • Redness, swelling, and pain are common side effects.
  • Anaphylaxis or fatal allergic reactions are very rare side effects.
Call for women planning to become pregnant or already pregnant, don't forget to undergo tetanus toxoid vaccination to prevent tetanus infection in yourself and the fetus. In addition, always prioritize a hygienic delivery room in order to prevent exposure to health-disturbing bacteria.

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