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Tetanus Immunity in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Wesche Harry A.,
Overfield Theresa
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.1992.tb00086.x
Subject(s) - tetanus , immunity , medicine , immunology , vaccination , immune system
The frequency of tetanus has declined little in the past decade. The majority of cases occur in persons over 50 years of age. A sample of 225 blood donors, between the ages of 50 and 68, from a mixed rural‐suburban county, were tested for tetanus antitoxin levels. Only 14% had protective levels. This low rate indicates the need for increased attention to tetanus immunizations in older adults.