Globally, tetanus remains a life-threatening infection, particularly among undervaccinated mothers and their infants in low-income countries. A recent article in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), “Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2022,” provided an update. Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) initiatives recognize the threat of unhygienic deliveries and focus on methods for increasing vaccination of pregnant women with tetanus-containing vaccine, raising immunization rates among women of reproductive age, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and identifying and investigating suspected cases of neonatal tetanus.
Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made:
- Worldwide, infants protected at birth increased from 74% in 2000 to 86% in 2022.
- Of 59 priority countries, 47 have achieved elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
- Of 47 countries with available data, 70% or more births were assisted by skilled attendants.
- Reported neonatal tetanus cases decreased by 89%, from 17,935 in 2000 to 1,995 in 2021.
- Estimated neonatal tetanus deaths decreased 84%, from 46,898 in 2000 to 7,719 in 2021.
Progress has been substantial, but work remains. For example, countries with fragile health systems face barriers to improving vaccination rates and ensuring that skilled birth attendants are available during deliveries. Additionally, in order to sustain elimination, ongoing engagement from priority countries and the global community at large is necessary. Unfortunately, between 2020 and 2022, 13 countries that previously documented elimination reported cases of neonatal tetanus, suggesting issues with sustaining progress.
Read the full report, which includes broader implications for public health practice.
Globally, tetanus remains a life-threatening infection, particularly among undervaccinated mothers and their infants in low-income countries. A recent article in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), “Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2022,” provided an update. Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) initiatives recognize the threat of unhygienic deliveries and focus on methods for increasing vaccination of pregnant women with tetanus-containing vaccine, raising immunization rates among women of reproductive age, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and identifying and investigating suspected cases of neonatal tetanus.
Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made:
- Worldwide, infants protected at birth increased from 74% in 2000 to 86% in 2022.
- Of 59 priority countries, 47 have achieved elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
- Of 47 countries with available data, 70% or more births were assisted by skilled attendants.
- Reported neonatal tetanus cases decreased by 89%, from 17,935 in 2000 to 1,995 in 2021.
- Estimated neonatal tetanus deaths decreased 84%, from 46,898 in 2000 to 7,719 in 2021.
Progress has been substantial, but work remains. For example, countries with fragile health systems face barriers to improving vaccination rates and ensuring that skilled birth attendants are available during deliveries. Additionally, in order to sustain elimination, ongoing engagement from priority countries and the global community at large is necessary. Unfortunately, between 2020 and 2022, 13 countries that previously documented elimination reported cases of neonatal tetanus, suggesting issues with sustaining progress.
Read the full report, which includes broader implications for public health practice.