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I had to get tetanus and hep-b vaccines to go to school in Florida twenty years ago. ETA: here's the current list of required vaccines in FL http://www.florida

I had to get tetanus and hep-b vaccines to go to school in Florida twenty years ago. ETA: here's the current list of required vaccines in FL http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/children-and-adolescents/school-immunization-requirements/index.html http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunizat...

TheSpiceIsLife 5y ago
The tetanus vaccine for children probably makes sense. In recent years, tetanus has been fatal in approximately 11% of reported cases. Cases most likely to be fatal are those occurring in persons age 60 years or older and unvaccinated persons. In about 20% of tetanus deaths, no obvious pathology is identified and death is attributed to the direct effects of tetanus toxin. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html I'd argue the heb-b vaccine is a good idea too.
timr 5y ago
Yes, and both of those make sense. Tetanus is incredibly common and kills many babies, even today: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4111-4 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s... > Figure 1 shows the global age-sex distribution of tetanus mortality in 2015. Tetanus deaths were concentrated in neonates when they were compared with deaths in each of the other age categories Hep B infection during childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in 95% of cases: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b > Hepatitis B infection acquired in adulthood leads to chronic hepatitis in less than 5% of cases, whereas infection in infancy and early childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in about 95% of cases. This is the basis for strengthening and prioritizing infant and childhood vaccination. In both cases, children are being vaccinated for their own direct benefit, not some vague, external benefit to others. (Also, it's worth pointing out that we mandate these vaccinates for school-age children because that's the first time such a mandate can be enforced. Babies are supposed to be vaccinated for both within the first six months of life: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolesc...)
raxxorrax 5y ago
Tetanus is on a completely different threat. It can be everywhere in the soil and infection can mean almost certain death, crippling disabilities should you survive. Every vaccine must be evaluated alone on its specific benefit. As far as we know the protection doesn't even last a year, a tetanus vaccine might need refreshment after 10 years but would still offer some protection.

TheSpiceIsLife 5y ago

The tetanus vaccine for children probably makes sense. In recent years, tetanus has been fatal in approximately 11% of reported cases. Cases most likely to be fatal are those occurring in persons age 60 years or older and unvaccinated persons. In about 20% of tetanus deaths, no obvious pathology is identified and death is attributed to the direct effects of tetanus toxin. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/tetanus.html I'd argue the heb-b vaccine is a good idea too.

timr 5y ago

Yes, and both of those make sense. Tetanus is incredibly common and kills many babies, even today: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4111-4 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s... > Figure 1 shows the global age-sex distribution of tetanus mortality in 2015. Tetanus deaths were concentrated in neonates when they were compared with deaths in each of the other age categories Hep B infection during childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in 95% of cases: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b > Hepatitis B infection acquired in adulthood leads to chronic hepatitis in less than 5% of cases, whereas infection in infancy and early childhood leads to chronic hepatitis in about 95% of cases. This is the basis for strengthening and prioritizing infant and childhood vaccination. In both cases, children are being vaccinated for their own direct benefit, not some vague, external benefit to others. (Also, it's worth pointing out that we mandate these vaccinates for school-age children because that's the first time such a mandate can be enforced. Babies are supposed to be vaccinated for both within the first six months of life: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolesc...)

raxxorrax 5y ago

Tetanus is on a completely different threat. It can be everywhere in the soil and infection can mean almost certain death, crippling disabilities should you survive. Every vaccine must be evaluated alone on its specific benefit. As far as we know the protection doesn't even last a year, a tetanus vaccine might need refreshment after 10 years but would still offer some protection.