Lack of Tetanus Immunity in Neonates in a Developed Country

Objective: Our study was performed to evaluate the tetanus vaccination status of newborns and their mothers in a developed country. In Austria, a nation-wide routine screening program for pregnant women exists. Expecting mothers are regularly seen by their physicians and data are collected in the so-called mother-child-passport. Due to vaccination programs in industrialized countries, immunity against tetanus of expecting mothers and their offspring should be assumed. Methods: A total of ninety-nine delivering women were enrolled in our study. Neonatal immunity against tetanus was investigated using cord blood s…