This article is professionally consulted by Huỳnh Bảo Toàn, MSc., MD. - Pediatrics and Neonatology Department, Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Tetanus is one of the acute infectious diseases that poses significant danger to humans, especially pregnant women and newborns. Vaccinating pregnant women against tetanus helps develop immunity against the disease, preventing tetanus in both the mother and the newborn.
1. Tetanus vaccination for pregnant women
Tetanus is an infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is a type of bacillus with strong toxins that can cause the disease very quickly. Therefore, once infected with this type of bacteria, the risk of death is very high if not promptly treated. The tetanus bacteria can survive in the external environment for a long time and even boiling temperatures for extended periods may not completely eliminate this bacteria. Those at high risk of contracting tetanus bacilli include individuals with open wounds, particularly women during labor and childbirth, or newborns through the cutting of the umbilical cord. For these reasons, tetanus vaccination for pregnant women plays an extremely important role in preventing this dangerous disease.
Tetanus vaccination for pregnant women is a measure to help mothers produce antibodies to prevent transmission to their babies, as well as to avoid contracting tetanus during labor. Additionally, vaccinating pregnant women against tetanus reduces the risk of postpartum tetanus infection for both mother and baby. Expectant mothers should receive the tetanus vaccine as well as other preventive vaccines according to the recommendations and schedule of their healthcare provider.
2. Tetanus vaccination schedule for pregnant women
For women who have never received the tetanus vaccine or are uncertain about their previous vaccination history with tetanus-containing vaccines, the recommended vaccination schedule consists of five doses as follows:
- First dose: Administered early during the first pregnancy or during the childbearing age.
- Second dose: Administered at least 1 month after the first dose.
- Third dose: Administered at least 6 months after the second dose or during the next pregnancy.
- Fourth dose: Administered at least 1 year after the third dose or during the next pregnancy.
- Fifth dose: Administered at least 1 year after the fourth dose or during the next pregnancy.
Note that if the interval between doses is longer than the vaccination schedule provided by the doctor, continue with the next dose without restarting the series.
For women who have already received the three-dose primary series of tetanus-containing vaccines, the vaccination schedule is as follows:
- First dose: Administered early during the first pregnancy.
- Second dose: Administered at least 1 month after the first dose.
- Third dose: Administered at least 1 year after the second dose.
For women who have already received the three-dose primary series of tetanus-containing vaccines and one booster dose, subsequent doses should follow this schedule:
- First dose: Administered early during the first pregnancy.
- Second dose: Administered at least 1 year after the first dose.
For women in their first pregnancy, the tetanus vaccination schedule is as follows:
- First dose: Administered when the pregnancy is 20 weeks or less, as the fetus is not yet stable before this time.
- Second dose: Administered at least 30 days after the first dose and at least 30 days before the expected delivery date.
The schedule for tetanus vaccination during the second pregnancy should follow these guidelines:
- For the second pregnancy, the timing of tetanus vaccination should be based on the interval between the first and second pregnancies to ensure second tetanus vaccination for pregnant women is appropriate and safe for both mother and fetus:
If the first and second pregnancies are less than 5 years apart and the woman received two doses of the tetanus vaccine during the first pregnancy, she should receive one dose of the tetanus vaccine when the fetus is 24 weeks old. - If the interval between the two pregnancies is more than 5 years or if the woman has only received one dose of the tetanus vaccine previously, she should receive two doses of the tetanus vaccine during the second pregnancy. The timing of these two doses will be similar to the schedule for first pregnancies.
Details on fetal development by week that every parents should know:
- To answer the question of when to get the tetanus vaccine during the third pregnancy, mothers should note that if they have previously completed the full five-dose tetanus vaccination schedule, and the last dose was within the past 10 years, there is no need for a booster shot now. Conversely, if it has been over 10 years, the mother needs to get two booster doses. Additionally, if during the previous pregnancy the mother received two doses of the tetanus vaccine with less than 10 years between doses, she should get the tetanus vaccine from the 20th week of the pregnancy this time.
- Moreover, during each pregnancy, women should receive one dose of the combined DTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine, which includes the tetanus component, to protect the baby from pertussis during the first 6 months of life.
3. Notes on tetanus vaccination for pregnant women
The timing of the tetanus vaccine for pregnant women must be determined based on gestational age and the number of pregnancies the woman has had. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the doctor's vaccination schedule and not self-administer. Additionally, pregnant women should ensure they have enough time to follow the previously provided vaccination schedule.
When receiving the tetanus vaccine, pregnant women may experience symptoms such as swelling, pain, or localized allergic reactions. These symptoms typically resolve on their own within 3 to 4 days without the need for medication. Since these symptoms do not pose a significant threat to the health of the mother or the fetus, there is no need for excessive worry.
Tetanus vaccination for pregnant women is one of the best measures currently available to prevent tetanus infections. Pregnant women should attend medical check-ups, follow the advised vaccination schedule, and choose reputable and certified vaccination centers to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
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