[Tetanus in Poland in 2000].

In last decade gradual decrease in numbers of reported cases of tetanus has been observed. In 2000, 14 cases of tetanus (10 women and 4 men) were reported in Poland. All those cases occurred among people of age 40 or more, 35.7% of cases died. Case fatality increased with age. All cases were unvaccinated or vaccination status was unknown. The data show effectiveness of vaccination program in younger age groups, but they also show need for promotion of post exposure prophylaxis, especially among older people both in rural and in urban areas. No case of neonatal tetanus was noted in Poland since 1984.