TETANUS TOXOID IMMUNIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY

Abstract

Active immunization with tetanus toxoid has been carried on in the U. S. Navy for the past 6 yrs. Those immunized were at first volunteer groups in the fleet and at the Naval Medical School and the Naval Academy. For the past 3 yrs. the entire personnel of the Naval Academy has been immunized with alum-precipitated tetanus toxoid. Adequate antitoxin responses were obtained with plain toxoid and with alum-precipitated toxoid, the latter giving higher levels of blood antitoxin. Reactions from injn. of the toxoid are few and minor. Tetanus toxoid immunization is a safe and reliable procedure, particularly valuable to the military services, where immunization can be properly controlled and where wounds requiring protection against tetanus may be encountered. The development of active immunity by this means makes the use of antitoxin injns. unnecessary. When using plain toxoid, 3 injns. were given about 4 weeks apart. With alum-precipitated toxoid, 2 injns. were given 8 weeks apart. Booster doses of toxoid at 4-yr. intervals, or when wounded, are advised.