Public health urges tetanus shots during tornado recovery

CAIRO — The Grady County Health Department is encouraging tornado recovery workers to get vaccinated against tetanus if they have not had a recent booster shot.

“The vaccine is available at our health department,” Grady County Health Department County Nurse Manager Peggy Connell said.

Health officials said adults need a booster shot every 10 years to stay protected. Tetanus shots given to recovery workers in the field are free, Connell said. Officials also said vaccines given in the health department are billed to insurance, but no- and low-cost tetanus vaccine is also available at the health department for eligible patients.

Health officials said tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria that usually enters the body through breaks in the skin. Also called “lockjaw” because tetanus often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow, the disease can be fatal if untreated.

Public health officials said tetanus is not spread person to person.

“Any wound that could be contaminated with tetanus bacteria should be tended to as soon as possible,” Connell said.

For more information about tetanus vaccinations, contact the Grady County Health Department at (229) 377-2992.