Myths and Facts About
Tetanus and Flooding
Myth: Flooding increases the risk of contracting tetanus.
Fact:
Flooding and flood clean-up don’t increase your risk of tetanus – being
behind on your tetanus vaccinations does. If it has been more than 10 years since
your last tetanus shot, you should have a booster regardless of what activities
you’ll be doing.
Myth: Tetanus and/or hepatitis A vaccinations are required before entering a
flooded area.
Fact:
No extra vaccinations of any kind are required due to flooding, even to
regain entry to your home. While this was a recommendation in the past,
evolving evidence has shown that flooding does not increase tetanus or hepatitis
A in a community.
Myth:
Tetanus shots are free during a time of disaster, such as a flood.
Fact:
Because the vaccination you get is one you were due to receive anyway,
no special funding is available to cover the cost. Medicaid, most insurances and
some Medicare Part D will provide coverage for the tetanus booster if it’s time for
you get one, but not just because there is a flood.
Myth:
If you work in flood water you should have hepatitis A vaccinations.
Fact:
Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. The virus is most
commonly spread when people put food or objects contaminated with stool
containing the hepatitis A virus into their mouths. Skin exposure to flood water
does not spread hepatitis A.
More information can be found at www.fdhu.org.