Tetanus in Ukraine: 3 cases and 2 deaths to date in 2025
Tetanus is a dangerous infectious disease that affects the nervous system, causing severe convulsions and problems with breathing and swallowing. Tetanus also leads to painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. In five months of 2025, three cases of tetanus infection were recorded, two of which were fatal.
Spores of the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus, are found everywhere: in soil and dust. Infection can occur through injury with a contaminated object, working with wood or soil, or even from a minor scratch.
Cases of tetanus are registered in Ukraine every year. During 2024, 12 cases were recorded - twice as many as in 2023.
Tetanus is not transmitted from person to person, so there is no herd immunity from it, so vaccination is the only reliable protection against tetanus.
The effectiveness of vaccination against tetanus is 100% (full course of vaccinations), but acquired immunity from this disease must be periodically renewed, so it is necessary to be vaccinated against tetanus regularly throughout life.
Children are vaccinated starting at 2 months of age with a combined vaccine against pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus.
Adults should be vaccinated against tetanus once every 10 years, starting at age 16, provided that the Preventive Vaccination Calendar is followed. For this, the ADP-M vaccine is used against two diseases at once: tetanus and diphtheria.
To get vaccinated, contact your family doctor, who will conduct an examination and issue a referral.
If you have missed a scheduled vaccination or do not know your vaccination status, contact your family doctor, who will create an individual schedule for you to receive all doses of the vaccine with minimal intervals. You can also contact any nearest health facility.
What to do if tetanus is suspected
It is necessary to seek medical help immediately. Patients are hospitalized, the wound is surgically treated, and specific medications are administered. Treatment tactics depend on the age and vaccination status of the victim.
Protect yourself and your loved ones — get vaccinated! Tetanus vaccination is free.