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July 14, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Exposure to Tetanus May Come With Floodwaters”

Fort Wayne News-Sentinel (IN) (www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel)

(07/12/03); Boen, Jennifer L.

Indiana State Department of Health immunization program medical director Charlene Graves warns that wounds sustained from materials involved in recent floodwaters could expose victims to tetanus.  Graves warns that a very small amount of tetanus toxin can make a person seriously ill, and she recommends all people who came in contact with floodwaters get their tetanus immunization booster.  Graves reminds the public that tetanus boosters are needed every 10 years to maintain effectiveness.  However, Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health public information officer Mindy Waldron asserts that the vaccine is currently in short supply. RediMed, which charges $35 for the vaccine, currently has enough of a supply to cover walk-ins.  Symptoms of the disease include rigidity in the jaw and neck and painful muscle spasms.