Tetanus jab shortage hits private hospitals in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

While Bahrain is scripting a huge success with regard to Covid-19 vaccines, the private hospitals here are facing a crisis over the acute shortage of tetanus vaccines. 

A tetanus shot can protect individuals from getting tetanus, also called ‘lockjaw’. It is caused by bacteria called Clostridium Tetani.

Tetanus vaccine helps the body make antibodies (special proteins) that will help the immune system fight the toxin produced by the bacteria.   

Clostridium Tetani is generally found in soil and manure.

Tetanus infections are common when an individual suffers from a wound that gives the bacteria a chance to enter the body.

Once inside the body, the bacteria release a toxin that causes muscles to tighten and lock shut the mouth, making it hard to swallow.

The muscle stiffness spreads and in some cases, it could cause death if not treated properly. 

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, a private hospital administration manager, who doesn’t want to be named, said: “All private hospitals are facing an acute shortage of Tetanus vaccine. Every day, we get calls from people enquiring about the availability of vaccines, but we don’t have an answer as of now.” He said it is the Health Ministry that supplies vaccines to private hospitals and “the exact reasons behind the shortage is unknown”. “We get vaccine supplies from the Health Ministry. I hope the crisis will be solved soon.  “Tetanus jab is one of the most sought after vaccines in the Kingdom as small wounds and injuries are very common among people. We are advising people, who call us for tetanus jab, to approach health centres across the Kingdom.    “But I have come to know that the shortage even exists at health centres, where tetanus jabs are only given to pregnant women or individuals suffering from chronic illnesses who are at the risk of infection.” 

The Daily Tribune attempted to obtain comments from Health Ministry officials regarding the matter. However, the efforts did not succeed until Press time. 

On the Covid-19 vaccination front, the authorities have reaped an unprecedented success; 12,27,305 have received a single dose of the vaccine while 11,97,343 received two doses; 950,713 have already received their booster doses.  

Immunization programmes

According to the Health Ministry, other immunization programmes are also on track including the ones to prevent Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenza, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.     

The Health Ministry has urged parents and caregivers of children to ensure the completion of routine vaccination of their children prior to their enrolment in school.

Patients with chronic diseases conditions and other high-risk categories are advised to ensure completion of the recommended vaccination and travellers are advised to visit their health centre enough time prior to their travel to complete the recommended vaccination according to their travel destination.