Annex 2 - Tetanus Serosurveys: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Standards

Overview

This annex provides guidance on the use of serosurveys to estimate population immunity and monitor disease risk for tetanus.The aims of tetanus vaccination are 1) to achieve and sustain maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) and to ensure lifelong tetanus protection in all people by achieving high coverage with six doses of tetanus vaccine (three primary plus three booster doses) through routine immunization.

Because tetanus spores persist in the environment, tetanus is not eradicable; continued high and uniform vaccination coverage is needed to protect the population. Tetanus immunity from infant vaccination wanes with age, so booster doses are given at optimal ages to provide continuous protection across the lifespan.