Neonatal Tetanus: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Standards

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 34 000 neonatal tetanus (NT) deaths worldwide in 2015. This 96% reduction from an estimated 787 000 NT deaths since 1988 represents significant progress towards the maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) goal. However, the disease remains an important global public health problem, particularly in settings with high neonatal mortality and among some of the poorest and most marginalized subpopulations worldwide.