Tetanus shots available for tornado volunteers

As residents continue to recover from the tornadoes and severe weather, the Northern Kentucky Health Department is offering free tetanus vaccines to those who may need it.

The vaccine will be available for free on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Health Department's county health centers:

Boone County Health Center, 7505 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky. Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky. Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky. Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky.

"When people are involved in clean-up after a disaster, tetanus is typically a risk," said Lynne M. Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health. "The bacteria that causes tetanus can be found in the soil. If a person's skin is punctured, perhaps through a cut or scrape, the tetanus bacteria can enter the body and cause infection. While there is a vaccine against tetanus, most adults are not up-to-date on their vaccinations. If you are working among debris and have not had a tetanus vaccination in the last five years, we encourage you to get one. "

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