Gynaecologists have urged pregnant women to complete the recommended five-dose schedule of the tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine, stressing that doing so offers long-term protection against tetanus for both mothers and their babies.
The specialists said maternal immunisation remains one of the most effective ways to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus, a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The infection, which affects the nervous system, is commonly associated with contaminated wounds and unsafe childbirth practices.
According to the experts, women who have never received the vaccine or have incomplete immunisation should ensure they complete the full five-dose schedule as recommended during their reproductive years. They explained that while two doses administered during pregnancy provide protection for the current pregnancy, completing all five properly spaced doses offers long-lasting, and in many cases lifelong, immunity.
The gynaecologists noted that vaccination protects expectant mothers from maternal tetanus and also enables protective antibodies to be passed to the unborn child, significantly reducing the risk of neonatal tetanus after delivery.
They encouraged pregnant women to begin antenatal care early, where healthcare providers can assess their vaccination history and administer the required doses based on national immunisation guidelines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies tetanus vaccination as a critical component of antenatal care and says maternal and neonatal tetanus can be prevented through immunisation, clean delivery practices and proper care of the umbilical cord. The organisation also notes that neonatal tetanus deaths have declined significantly worldwide due to expanded vaccination programmes, although the disease remains a public health concern in areas with low immunisation coverage.
The specialists further advised women not to wait until late pregnancy before seeking antenatal care, emphasising that timely vaccination allows sufficient time for immunity to develop before childbirth.
They also urged families and communities to support pregnant women in accessing routine antenatal services, describing immunisation as a safe, cost-effective intervention that protects both mothers and newborns from a preventable disease.
