[Tetanus in Poland in 2004].

In last decade gradual decrease in numbers of reported cases of tetanus was observed. In 2004, 25 cases of tetanus (16 women and 9 men) were reported in Poland. All those cases were among people of age 40 or more. In 2004 relatively high number of 10 deaths were recorded. All cases were unvaccinated or vaccination status was unknown. Only in 2 cases post exposure anatoxine was applied. 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.