Question

An individual with an uncertain vaccine history has been brought to the emergency room after lacerations in an accident with farm machinery. in addition to administering a tetanus toxoid vaccine, tetanus immune globulin (tig), a form of passive immunization. why are both necessary?

Answer 1

Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic producing toxins causing tetanus infection. If infected or possibly infected both TIG or tetanus immune globulin and tetanus toxoid vaccine are necessary since they both give immunity to the body. TIG has tetanus antibodies to neutralize instantly the toxin thus providing a passive immunity for a short term protection while the tetanus toxoid vaccine will stimulate the person's immune system to produce the antibodies that may take effect a few days or years which then provides active immunity.