At the Badore Primary Healthcare Centre in Eti Osa Local Government, Mrs Lovett Edwin, a legal practitioner, had come with Samuel, her 2-month-old son, for immunisation. She also took two doses of tetanus injection in pregnancy and plans to take three more doses to complete it.
“I took doses of the tetanus injection during the pregnancy of my first baby. But I missed the last dose, so I had to restart it when I was pregnant with Samuel. I am going to take the third dose on November 19th, and I intend to finish up. In the case of an injury, I can be protected from tetanus,” Mrs Edwin retorted.
Mrs Onye Kwachkwu, a secondary teacher, was also at the Badore Primary Healthcare Centre with her 9-month-old son for the measles vaccine. She had also received two doses of tetanus injection. Her mother was a great influence on her, ensuring that she never missed any of her son’s immunisation appointments.
The 41-year-old mother prefers Badore Primary Healthcare Centre because of its proximity to her home. She does not, however, intend to receive any further tetanus shots. She wasn’t planning to have another baby in the distant future.
Mrs. Kwachkwu declared, “When I was pregnant, I took a tetanus injection at the third, sixth, and ninth months.” I am not aware that a pregnant woman should take five tetanus shots. The doctor never told me that.”
Vaccination is the best way to prevent tetanus—a serious disease caused by a bacterial toxin that affects the nervous system.
The first two shots of the tetanus injection are given at least four weeks apart, and the third shot is given 6 to 12 months after the second shot. After the initial tetanus series, booster shots are recommended every 10 years.
Nigeria still records fatalities from tetanus, predominantly in women of reproductive age and in newborns. This is largely due to poor access to vaccinations and high rates of unsupervised labour and childbirth.
Unfortunately, many pregnant women do not receive the recommended dosage of tetanus injections.
Tetanus can strike anybody, but it is especially prevalent and dangerous among young children and expectant mothers who have not had enough vaccinations that contain the tetanus toxoid.
Tetanus injection helps the mother make antibodies first, avoiding infection and disease during labour. Vaccination also helps children by reducing their chance of contracting tetanus after birth.
Tetanus during pregnancy or within six weeks of the end of pregnancy is called maternal tetanus, and tetanus within the first 28 days of life is called neonatal tetanus.
“Most of the time in each pregnancy, it is only two doses or a maximum of three if the woman registers early,” said Dr Adebayo Adeniji, the Assistant Immunisation Programme Officer, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.
Dr Adeniji spoke at a two-day media dialogue to enhance routine immunisation and to reduce zero-dose children in Lagos. The Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board organised it in collaboration with UNICEF.
He said that mothers are supposed to return for the remaining doses of the tetanus injection at designated intervals after giving birth.
“They frequently forget to return to the facility to receive their remaining tetanus shots after giving birth to their children. Thus, they will have to start over when they become pregnant,” he continued.
Dr Adeniji declared that taking five doses of the tetanus injection as stipulated will increase the woman’s immunity against tetanus for life.
According to him, “The first dose might protect for about five months. If I should take the second dose, it is extended to one year. It automatically means that after five months, I am expected to restart over again because I am under-immunised when the five doses are not completed.”
Researchers discovered that younger age groups, tertiary education, wealth, immunisation card ownership, exposure to radio and television, living in southern Nigeria, prenatal care, and delivery in a medical facility were likely to influence the uptake of Tetanus toxoid vaccinations. This information was derived from a cross-sectional study of data sets from the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey published in the Razi International Medical Journal (RIMJ).
In addition, Dr Adeniji mentioned that women lack information about the frequency and number of tetanus toxoid immunisations that they should receive. Aside from prenatal care, it is not included in the information that women receive when they visit the hospital.
He declared, “You don’t need to get pregnant before you start taking the doses. a woman of reproductive age can begin receiving her tetanus injection doses even before considering becoming pregnant, and she would have finished receiving that dose before being pregnant.
They will carry a vaccination card proving they have had five doses of the tetanus toxoid, just like with other vaccines. They do not need to have the vaccination if they become pregnant again or if they acquire a cut or other wound that could become infected with tetanus. However, booster dosages must be taken every ten years.
“Many women would have taken the third shot before giving birth. The remaining two shots are usually one year apart. So the woman will have to make a conscious attempt to complete the vaccination dose,” he concluded.
well as provide desks and chairs to some classrooms.
During the third edition of his annual Welcome Back to School project held at the Animasahun Nursery & Primary premises; coincidentally the school he attended, Hon Alalukimba distributed 150 units of school uniforms, 100 school sandals, 40 school bags, 500 exercise books to the pupils.
He also extended the gesture to staff of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, with 15 uniforms, police officer with 3 uniforms, Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps officers with sports uniforms, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency officers also received 4 uniforms
Sports facilities such as table tennis, footballs, basketball court, football post and trophies were given to schools to encourage sports among the youth, among others.
Speaking after the ceremony, Alalukimba said that he was a beneficiary of free education in Lagos State, so he has made education a priority at primary and secondary levels, hence his involvement in the Welcome Back To School project.
Honourable Alalukimba, the ward councillor representing Agunbiade in the Itire/Ikate LCDA, and also the Majority Leader of the legislators of the council, also listed projects such as drainage and road construction of Eyiowuwawi, Adewuyi, Adedoyin, Obashola Ajijola, Aguntasolo streets, among the few that would be completed soon.
He expressed his appreciation to the people, the council chairman and his colleagues for all the support to make things happen.
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