NPHC: Don’t forget about tetanus protection when working outdoors
Outdoor work doesn’t stop in autumn. We continue to tidy our gardens and vegetable patches, prepare our surroundings for winter, rake leaves and carry out other seasonal tasks around our homes and country properties. However, working outdoors also carries a risk of injury and infection with tetanus, a rare but potentially serious disease. Specialists at the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC) remind the public that vaccination is the most reliable way to protect against tetanus and that adults should make sure their vaccination is regularly updated.
Tetanus is rare in Lithuania
Tetanus is rare in Lithuania, with an average of one to two cases reported each year. Between 2011 and 2025, 23 cases of tetanus were recorded in the country, eight of which resulted in death. Most people who developed tetanus were older adults who had not been vaccinated.
No cases of tetanus were reported last year. This year, two cases have been reported in Mažeikiai and Šakiai districts. Both patients were over 80 years old. Their vaccination status and the circumstances in which they became infected are unknown.
Vaccination is recommended every 10 years
Under Lithuania’s National Immunisation Schedule for Children, children receive vaccines that protect against tetanus, as well as diphtheria and pertussis, at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, and again at 6–7 and 15–16 years of age.
Protection against tetanus is also important for adults. The vaccine used for adult immunisation protects against both tetanus and diphtheria. People aged 25 and over can receive these vaccinations free of charge every 10 years.
According to NPHC data, 50,429 people received free vaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus in 2025, compared with 53,688 in 2024 and 44,280 adults in 2023. However, adults are still relatively reluctant to receive routine tetanus vaccinations at public expense. Most vaccinations among adults are administered after an injury or other potential exposure, such as a deep injury to the skin and/or mucous membranes, frostbite or burns.
“Although tetanus is not common in Lithuania, its seriousness should not be underestimated. It is particularly important to maintain protection against tetanus throughout adulthood. The risk of developing the disease increases when a person has not completed the recommended vaccination schedule or has not received a booster dose for a long time,” says Edita Jegelevičienė, adviser at the Communicable Disease Management Division of NPHC.
Assess the risk of tetanus after an injury
The bacteria that cause tetanus are widespread in the environment. Their spores can be found in soil and dust, as well as in the intestines of animals and humans. The spores are resistant to heat, cold and sunlight and can survive in the environment for several years.
Infection can occur when tetanus spores enter the body through damaged skin. The risk is particularly increased when a person is injured by soil-contaminated or dirty gardening tools, suffers a puncture wound or cut, or sustains a deep wound, burn or other skin injury. It is important to remember that tetanus does not spread from person to person.
“When working in the garden or carrying out outdoor maintenance, it is important to take simple precautions: wear protective gloves, avoid injuries where possible, and properly clean and care for any wounds. It is equally important to make sure you are protected against tetanus by checking when you last received a tetanus and diphtheria vaccination. If you are injured—particularly if the wound is deep or contaminated—and your vaccination history is unknown, you should seek medical attention. After assessing the situation, a healthcare professional may recommend urgent tetanus immunoprophylaxis,” the NPHC representative advises.
The first symptoms of tetanus usually appear about a week after infection, although they may develop after just a few days or much later. The disease may begin with muscle twitching or stiffness, followed by painful muscle spasms. A characteristic symptom is jaw stiffness (lockjaw), and swallowing may become difficult. The muscles of the neck and back may also become stiff. In severe cases, breathing can be affected.
Complications may include heart failure, brain damage, pneumonia and bone fractures. Without treatment, tetanus can be fatal.
Last updated: 23-09-2026
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