Tetanus in the elderly--An important preventable disease in Australia

Notification trends from countries with well-established immunisation programs show increasing tetanus cases among the elderly, corresponding to seroepidemiologic data showing declining immunity with advanced age. We examined Australian trends in tetanus to review the likely value of routine funded immunisation at 65 years. Since 1993, 62% (36/58) of notifications, 44% (67/151) of hospitalisations and 83% (10/12) of deaths were in people aged over 65 years. Taking into account higher vaccine coverage at 65 years, versus the current recommended age in Australia of 50 years, we estimate that routine funded tetanus vaccine would prevent 9% more hospitalisations and 28% more deaths than the most favourable outcome from the current unfunded recommendation at 50 years. This is likely to be applicable to other industrialised countries.