More countries eliminate maternal, neonatal tetanus
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Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination has been achieved by 80% of the 59 countries identified in 1999 as being still at risk for the infection, according to a report published in MMWR.
In addition to 47 countries eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) — Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the newest additions to the list — reported neonatal tetanus cases decreased by 88% and estimated deaths by 92% from 2000 to 2020, according to the authors.
“Despite progress, 12 countries have not achieved elimination and are challenged by conflict, insecurity, and competing priorities. Other countries are struggling to maintain elimination,” they wrote.
According to the report, from 2000 to 2020, 52 priority countries conducted supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) for tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV), and 168 million of a targeted 250 million women received two or more doses.
The researchers reported a 16% increase in infants protected against tetanus at birth and a 92% decline in estimated neonatal tetanus mortality since the initative’s inception in the year 2000.
Still, the researchers said that as of 2020, 59 million women targeted for protection by TTCV SIAs remained unreached, and TTCV SIA activities aiming to target an estimated 16 million women of reproductive age in five countries were postponed because of COVID-19-related disruptions in immunization services.
“To achieve MNT elimination in remaining priority countries and to maintain it globally, efforts are needed to enhance routine vaccination, integrate tetanus activities with other health activities, and promote a life-course vaccination approach for tetanus protection,” they wrote.
The remaining 12 priority countries that have not yet been validated for MNT elimination include Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Sudan and Nigeria, among others.
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