[Anti-tetanus vaccines, serums and immunoglobulins].

Specific immunity to tetanus toxin is only artificially acquired and is provided by the presence in the blood and in the extravascular fluids of an IgG antibody passively administered or actively produced by the organism through vaccine injections. In the first case serum of human origin is now preferred to serum of animal origin due to the lack of major undesirable reactions and longer duration of protection (about 4 weeks versus 7-10 days). Tetanus toxoid is one of the most safe and potent known immunogens. For primary immunization adsorbed toxoid is given on two occasions at 2 months interval with a third reinforcing dose approximately one year after the second. The subsequent antitoxin response persists at protective level for at least 5 years and for a longer time (10 years about) after a booster. The ability to promptly react to a booster injection (immunological memory) is greatly long-lasting in persons who have previously received at least two doses.