Final answer:
To protect neonates from tetanus, mothers receive the tetanus vaccine during pregnancy and children are vaccinated starting from infancy as part of the DTaP series.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neonatal tetanus is a serious condition affecting newborns primarily through an unclean umbilical cord stump. Preventing this condition is crucial, and the strategy involves vaccinating both mothers and children. Mothers are vaccinated with the TT vaccine during pregnancy, which provides antibodies that are passed to the fetus, offering neonatal protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children receive a series of the DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age and another dose at 4-6 years.
The 'T' in DTaP stands for tetanus and the series not only provides protection for the individual child but also helps to promote herd immunity, protecting those who might be vulnerable. For continuous protection, a Td booster is recommended every 10 years into adolescence and adulthood. In summary, both mothers and children receive vaccinations to safeguard newborns against the threat of tetanus, with initial protection coming from the maternal vaccine and later through childhood immunizations.