A large number of our staff need to visit construction sites etc. We've advised staff that they need to ensure they're up to date on tetanus jabs but I've since researched this and found that the innoculations are not necessarily required every 10 years as we'd previously advised them. Can anyone shed any light on what the requirement is? Also, should we keep records of these jabs? An external 18001 auditor told us that we should but this might prove difficult to obtain such information.

You've not had much in the way of resposnses so I thought I'd reply. I'm afraid I don't know about the 10 year thing. As far as I was aware it was 10 years. Although they will give a booster anyway if they are unsure. Very few of us can remember when we last had one. Why not ring up A&E or a doctors or NHS direct. Maybe it's on the NHS website. As for records, do tetanus injections cost? If so I assume that you are paying for the tetanus? You really should be. If so you will have that as a record. If it's free than I would say any boosters they have by their own accord is their business. As long as you have given them the advice it's down to them. So you wouldn't need records. Remember you can't force anyone to have an injection either.

Extract from one of our procedures for clients. For adults and teenagers not immunised as a child the vaccine programme comprises: Primary Course Three doses of vaccine one month apart 4th Dose - booster 10 years after the primary course 5th Dose - booster 10 years after 4th dose The primary course gives protection for a number of years and the later doses maintain that protection. The 5th dose generally provides immunity for life.

I am happy to whistle to the same tune as Geoff - his information is correct. I notice yet again an expectaton in the mind of some who believe that the NHS is available as a free resource to answer questions from all and sundry, including questions concerning matters of occupational health and hygiene that have a fundamentally commercial basis. Please seek professional advice on these matters, but don't waste the time of hospital or GP services which have far better things to do than answer this sort of question. And if you insist, feeling in some way that the NHS is there to fufil that role, don't be surprised if you get a firm rebuke. As for the suggestion that you might ring A&E for some Occ Health advice, that is simply appalling and I cannot but feel contempt for those who suggest the misuse of such resources.

Martin - the issue as I see it here is that people are not aware of the requirements. If that is the case then the question needs to be asked. OK maybe Clairel did not give the correct trail to follow, and maybe Ian did respond too strongly - but maybe the NHS should be making this information more prominent? David

I found this site helpful when I was doing research on the subject: http://www.nhs.uk/Condit.../Pages/Introduction.aspx

The NHS is free at the point of care, but is Not free. It is a very expensive service and resources are inevitably limited. A&E is a prime example, with few unaware of the sometimes huge waiting times for emergency care. One very common reason is that we choose as far as possible to pay low taxzes and with less in at the top, there is less coming out at the bottom. But other causes of delay and limitation in service provision are also common. Foremost among these, and always widely reported, is the overload of the system by those with trival complaints that might be managed in other ways, by NHS Direct, by a GP or even by self-medication. In every case, this misuse of resources delays the access to essential care by those that really need it. So for anyone who thinks it is appropriate to phone the local A&E to ask about tetanus immunisation for your workforce, or for any other wholly commercial purpose, please think again. That is not an acceptable use of resources. Don't be surprised if you receive a sharp rebuttal, in A&E or on here. GPs also, in fact wherever NHS acute services are made available, it is almost invariably the case that they are not intended to provide support to commercial operations for which more appropriate sources of advice are available. And if that message needs some better simplification just consider that while you are pfaffing about on the telephone, someone who really needs it might be waiting for emergency care, or that your GP appointment might have been given to someone who really needs it.

Last time I looked I paid my taxes too Ian, at at quite a high rate thank you. You seem to conveniently think that I am suggesting people go down to A&E and see a consultant or book an appointment to see their GP. I haven't, I have said ring the surgery and speak to the receptionist as I'm sure they would know, if not they could ask a practice nurse. Or ring A&E RECEPTION. If people have a genuine emergency they should ringing 999 not A&E reception. I gave a list a 3 things, NHS Direct, GP surgey and A&E reception. So perhaps A&E reception shouldn't be on there. It's debatable. I just gave a list of three things off the top of my head. Personally I would have asked my GP. As far as I am concerned it is not just an occupational issue. It's in all of our own personal interest to also know how often we should have a booster. Last time I looked, GP's also dealt with occupational issues. Or perhaps you think we shouldn't go to our GP if we get worlk related dermatitis or go to A&E if we injure oursleves at work. But you know what Ian am I getting little sick of your high and mighty attitude towards me. You know nothing about me and yet choose to judge me. High time you started judging yourself. Now excuse me I am off to waste GP services with my appointment and then in a couple of weeks I will waste hospital resources by having a major operation. But what would I know about waiting lists and a lack of resources hey Ian!!!!

I disgracefully asked my doctor it's 10 years.

I was advised at my surgery 3 or 4 years ago that a maximum of 5 boosters at about 10 yearly intervals would give life time cover from tetanus and no more than 5 boosters can be given. I had asked for a booster and was told that I had already had my 4th 9 years earlier and could feel quite ill if I had it too soon. Last week I had my 5th and last I can have after cutting myself in the garden and did feel ill (a bit like flu). Looking into the causes of tetanus http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/f...eets/html/tetanus.html#4 it seems to point to soil, manure and gardening etc as the most common causes and it seems there is a risk of side effects to the vaccine which could even be serious. Is there anything particularly in your risk assessment which indicates a serious risk of tetanus? it could also be that the risk of side effects needs to be considered, if you recommend employees have booster injections. If the risk is serious, advice to the employees to seek further professional advice may be all that can be given.