Nairobi — An anti-tetanus campaign targeting 1.9 million women for vaccination against the killer disease will be launched on Saturday.

There are 38 high-risk districts in Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley.

Women aged between 15 and 49 years are expected to get the jabs during the Sh45 million campaign.

Dr Tatu Kamau, the Public Health ministry's division of vaccines and immunisation boss, yesterday said the campaign, would be carried out between October 11 and 15.

Cut or wound

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, affects the nervous system.

A victim usually contracts the disease through a cut or wound that becomes contaminated with tetanus germs.

According to medics, one can get infected through a tiny pinprick or scratch, but mainly through deep wounds or cuts like those made by nails and knives. Tetanus is fatal in three out of 10 cases.

Signs and symptoms of the disease usually begin a week after infection, but may extend to three weeks.

Some of the signs are headache, stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw), stiffness of the neck and sweating.