The Opole districts affected by the flood received 4.5 thousand vaccines against tetanus, provided by the local sanitary-epidemiological station. People who are removing the effects of the disaster are particularly at risk of infection. The West Pomeranian Voivodeship, which is approaching a flood wave, is also preparing for protection against tetanus.
As assured by Małgorzata Gudełajtis from the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Opole, the region has a sufficient number of vaccines against tetanus. For now, 4.5 thousand doses of the vaccine have been sent “to the field”, and supplies of the preparation are being replenished on an ongoing basis.
Residents of flooded areas can use medical care at any functioning primary health care facility. You can also seek help from night and holiday health care units, and in justified cases, also from the Emergency Department or hospital admission rooms.
– In the event of skin damage due to a wound, abrasion, etc. and contact of the wound with flood water or objects contaminated with it, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will decide on further action. In justified situations, the doctor will qualify for vaccination against tetanus and indicate a facility that will perform the vaccination. Vaccinations are voluntary and free of charge – emphasized the spokeswoman of the Opole sanitary inspection.
Information on available vaccination points is posted on the websites of the district sanitary-epidemiological stations.
West Pomeranian Voivodeship
The West Pomeranian Voivodeship, which is approaching a flood wave, is also preparing for protection against tetanus.
– The Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Szczecin has over three thousand vaccines against tetanus and two thousand vaccines against tetanus and diphtheria – said the West Pomeranian sanitary inspector Małgorzata Domagała-Dobrzycka during the crisis headquarters in Szczecin.
She pointed out that the State Sanitary Inspectorate has identified important places and facilities at risk of potential damage and flooding. These include, she said, waterworks, social welfare homes, cemeteries and marketplaces.
She informed that water intakes will be chemically disinfected. – The Widuchowa Commune has already purchased bottled water supplies, it has tankers for drinking water. It has also been recommended to empty the non-draining tanks for liquid waste – she added.
Vaccinations have eliminated many dangerous diseases (illustrative photo) Shutterstock
It is worth repeating the vaccination
Prof. Włodzimierz Gut, a virologist, previously told PAP that people staying in areas affected by the flood should be aware of the risk. – The water mixed everything, including horse manure, of which tetanus is a natural component. People cleaning up after the flood will hurt themselves – he emphasized. He noted that if these people are sensible, they will get vaccinated. He warned against tetanus, a dangerous disease of the nervous system, which can develop as a result of injury. The expert emphasized that in situations similar to the current flood, an increase in tetanus infections has always occurred.
Vaccination against tetanus is mandatory for children, but the protection provided by the vaccination lasts for 10 years. Hence, experts recommend periodic repetition of vaccination against tetanus in adults and in situations where an injury or wound contamination has occurred.
A new regulation is in force due to flooding National Health Fundbased on which patients can use any primary care physician, not just the one they are registered with. The National Health Fund reimburses these services. In the event of a serious wound, patients should report to the Emergency Department.
Patients can obtain information by calling the 24-hour National Health Fund hotline: 800 190 590.
Main image source: TVN24