BDC and DGCH urge to check the immunization of Berlin (bdc) an accident, bleeding wounds and quickly it happened: affected parties can connect themselves with insufficient vaccination with dangerous pathogens. Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a potentially fatal disease caused by bacteria. Dr. Jorg Ansorg, Managing Director of the Professional Association of German Surgeons (BDC): We surgeons must ask again after the current immunization status, when we see patients in the emergency room or in practice. Even Bagatellverletzungen such as abrasions can be entry gate for tetanus germ.”often comes out even, that many patients don’t even know their current immunization status”, says Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Meyer, General Secretary of the German society for surgery (DGCH).

Also, the latest figures of the Robert-Koch Institute prove that: only 71.4 per cent of adults in Germany are currently vaccinated as against tetanus. Prof. Julia Seifert, Vice President of the BDC: Tetanus is no bagatelle. There is this serious complications and deadly history. The probability to die, after the outbreak of tetanus infection is left untreated despite treatment at 25 percent, 100 percent!” The tetanus vaccination in combination with a vaccination against diphtheria must be refreshed every 10 years. In addition, the standing vaccination Committee (STIKO) recommends the combination with a pertussis vaccination. Pertussis, to German whooping cough, has spread again only nearly 35 percent of German adults are vaccinated against it. While this highly contagious infectious disease in adults is usually harmless, it can be a serious health threat to infants and young children. Not vaccinated adult whooping cough can transfer to babies in the family and circle of friends. Vaccinated adults protect not only themselves, but also infants and young children with vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis in their environment”emphasizes Ansorg. And a combination vaccine can perceive this responsibility with the prick ‘ a single syringe.