Tetanus is a deadly bacterial disease that strikes the central nervous system, causing muscle contractions particularly of the jaw and neck muscles (Tetanus is also referred to as lockjaw.) There is no cure for tetanus. Symptoms can be treated and supportive care provided until the patient has cleared the tetanus toxin, or more likely in the case of someone who has never been vaccinated, died.
Tetanus infection occurs when a wound is contaminated with the tetanus bacteria. After the bacteria have entered the wound, the bacteria germinate and release the deadly tetanus toxin. Puncture wounds (from stepping on a nail or grabbing barbed wire) are a frequent cause of tetanus infection, but burns and abrasions can also cause infection. Tetanus is a vaccine preventable disease.
Unlike in the United States or even in many developing countries, tetanus toxoid (vaccine) is not regularly administered in Haiti other than to pregnant women (as a means of preventing neonatal tetanus), and deaths from tetanus at Hôpital Sacré Coeur are not entirely unusual.
Thanks to a generous gift from Sanofi Pasteur, all Hôpital Sacré Coeur employees will be offered the full course of tetanus toxoid (three injections over a one year period). This is an especially important gift to the hospital’s General Services staff who work with construction materials like rebar, nails, wire, and other items that commonly cause puncture wounds.
The vaccine that Sanofi Pasteur donated to Hôpital Sacré Coeur is called Tenivac® and it also contains diphtheria toxoid (vaccine). Like tetanus, diphtheria is a bacterial disease that can be deadly among unimmunized individuals. It is a rare disease in the United States, but still a significant problem in countries like Haiti. Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat and can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, and paralysis. Diphtheria is treatable with antitoxin and other medications, but these interventions are not readily available in Haiti. Diphtheria is a high contagious, but vaccine preventable, disease.
Sanofi Pasteur shipped 1,500 doses of Tenivac® to Project HOPE, which is assisting Hôpital Sacré Coeur with this project. The vaccine arrived in Milot on September 19th and immunizations began shortly thereafter. Project HOPE is also helping Hôpital Sacré Coeur obtain the syringes and other supplies needed to administer the vaccine to some 400 persons.
The CRUDEM Foundation and Hôpital Sacré Coeur are both grateful to Phil Hosbach of Sanofi Pasteur and Dr. John Howe of Project HOPE for their generous and steadfast support of this important immunization initiative.
