[Tetanus in Poland in 2003]

In last decade gradual decrease in numbers of reported cases of tetanus was observed. In 2003, 30 cases of tetanus (14 women and 16 men) were reported in Poland. All those cases were among people of age 20 or more. In 2003 relatively high number of 14 deaths were recorded. All cases were unvaccinated or vaccination status was unknown. The data show effectiveness of vaccination program in younger age groups, but they also show need for promotion of post exposure prophylaxis, especially among older people both in rural and in urban areas. No case of neonatal tetanus was noted in Poland since 1984.