KNOW HERE: Guyana Health Ministry shares significance of Tetanus, Diphtheria vaccines

Georgetown, Guyana: The Ministry of Health of Guyana has recently started “Get-up to-date” seriously and has been informing the general public about the importance and usage of the vaccines. The ministry has been sharing a series of social media posts explaining different vaccines.

One of the updates by the Health Ministry shared information about the Tetanus vaccine and also shared details of it, such as usage and necessities. The ministry asked, “Get- Up- To- Date. Did you know that Tetanus can be prevented with a vaccine that is safe and effective?”

It further mentioned, “Yes! This vaccine helps to prevent tetanus, an acute infectious disease caused by spores of the bacterium clostridium tetani, which is found everywhere in the environment, particularly in soil, ashes, animal and human intestines and faeces/ It is also found on the surface of the skin and rusty tools such as nails, needles, barbed wire, etc.”

The Ministry of Health recommends tetanus vaccination for young children, preteens and adults. This vaccine is administered in six doses – 3 primary doses plus three booster doses.

In addition to this, the ministry informed about some interesting facts shared by Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation. “PAHO/WHO Data: Thanks to vaccination, neonatal tetanus was eliminated from the Americas in 2017,” it noted.

Additionally, the Health Ministry shared information about Diphtheria. “Did you know that Diphtheria can be prevented with a vaccine that is safe and effective?” asked the minister.

While saying the reply for the same, the Health Ministry noted, “Yes! This vaccine helps to prevent diphtheria, an infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria.”

The Ministry of Health recommends diphtheria vaccination for all babies and children, preteens and teens, and adults. This vaccine is administered in six doses – 3 primary doses, followed by three booster doses.

In conclusion, it informed about some facts shared by universal health organisations. It noted, “PAHO/WHO Data: Since vaccination, the number of Diphtheria cases has dropped from 23,269 in 2019 to 722 in 2021.”