Download Office Of Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Operations Center
Public Information Office
8744 Government Drive
New Port Richey, FL 34654
EOC PIO Office:
(727) 815-7177
Joint Information Center (727) 847-8954
Email
[email protected]
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TETANUS VACCINES FOR INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY FLOOD WATERS
~County Health Officials to Provide Tetanus boosters ~
New Port Richey - With the amount of debris left by a flood, residents working on clean-up efforts could be at
risk of sustaining injuries. Residents are urged to contact their primary care physician to discuss the need for
Tetanus vaccine. Through Friday August 28th, the Florida Department of Health will provide Tetanus boosters
and vaccines to residents who have been impacted by this flood event. Shots will be offered at the clinic located
at 10841 Little Rd. in New Port Richey. Shots will be free to those with proof of address.
“Many are beginning the difficult job of cleaning up after the flood waters recede and we have a real concern.”
said Mike Napier, County Health Officer. “If you will be cleaning up debris from flood waters a Tetanus booster
or vaccine should be on your check list of to dos before you start.”
Below is information on who may need to receive a vaccination:
• Under normal conditions, all individuals should get a tetanus-diphtheria booster (Td) every 10 years. A
tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) dose is preferred to Td for adults who have never received Tdap.
• If you sustain a minor clean wound and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years, you
will need a tetanus-diphtheria or tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Td or Tdap) booster.
• If you have a serious, puncture-type, or dirty wound, then you should receive a Td or Tdap booster within
five years of your last vaccination.
• If you sustain a wound or deep cut that concerns you, seek medical attention. Medical attention is
required to determine if a tetanus booster is needed.
• Proper wound care is essential for all cuts and lacerations regardless of exposure to floodwaters.
Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all
over the body. Infection with tetanus can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the person cannot open his/her mouth or
swallow and may even lead to death by suffocation. Tetanus is different from other vaccine-preventable diseases
because it does not spread from person to person. Tetanus bacteria are usually found in soil, dust and manure.
The bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin, usually cuts or puncture wounds caused by contaminated
objects.
Common first signs of tetanus are headache and muscular cramping and stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw) followed
by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, sudden, involuntary muscle tightening (muscle spasms), often
in the stomach, jerking or staring (seizures) fever and sweating. Symptoms usually begin eight days after the
infection but may range in onset from three days to three weeks.
For further information or to schedule an appointment call (727) 861-5250 ext. 0268 or ext. 3650.
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