Tetanus - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022

In 2022, 53 tetanus cases were reported in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), of which 16 (30%) were confirmed cases. The number of cases reported in 2022 remained similar to the year before but was lower than in 2018 and 2019 (92 and 73, respectively). Adults aged 65 years and above were the most affected age group, with women accounting for most cases. The current epidemiology in the EU/EEA may be explained by lower vaccination coverage or waning
immunity among older populations. The average estimated vaccination coverage of the diphtheria tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine among one-year-olds in the EU/EEA remained at a high level from 2018 to 2022 (2022: 94%; range 84–99%). Due to the severity of tetanus, there is a need to maintain high vaccination rates in all eligible age groups and to continue developing and implementing strategies to protect specific groups – particularly the elderly – in countries with higher rates of disease.