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Tetanus in the elderly--An important preventable disease in Australia
Helen E Quinn1, Peter B McIntyre
1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. helenq@chw.edu.au
Vaccine
|October 24, 2006
Summary
Tetanus cases are rising in the elderly due to declining immunity. Routine funded tetanus vaccination at 65 could prevent more hospitalizations and deaths than current recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Tetanus incidence is increasing in older adults in countries with established immunization programs.
- Seroepidemiologic studies indicate waning immunity with advanced age, contributing to this trend.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Australian tetanus trends.
- To evaluate the potential benefit of routine, funded tetanus immunization for individuals aged 65 years.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Australian national tetanus data (notifications, hospitalizations, deaths) from 1993 onwards.
- Modeling to compare the impact of funded vaccination at 65 years versus the current unfunded recommendation at 50 years, considering vaccine coverage.
Main Results:
- Individuals over 65 accounted for a significant majority of tetanus notifications (62%), hospitalizations (44%), and deaths (83%) since 1993.
- Routine funded tetanus vaccination at 65 years is estimated to prevent 9% more hospitalizations and 28% more deaths compared to the current recommendation at 50 years.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that a routine, funded tetanus vaccination program at age 65 could significantly reduce severe outcomes in the elderly.
- These results may be relevant for other industrialized nations facing similar demographic and epidemiological trends.
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