It is recommended that people who inject drugs are vaccinated against a number of conditions including:
This vaccination is given to you by injection in your arm. A course of at least three injections is required and it is best if this can be done within two months of starting the course (Day zero, 1 month and 2 months)
It is important to have all three doses of the vaccine in the schedule as you will not be fully protected until you have had the third injection.
Tetanus is an infection that can cause severe illness and even death. Tetanus is caused by bacteria getting into the body through a wound or through injecting drugs. It is caught from tetanus bacteria in soil or dirt or in drugs, rather than from other people.
Tetanus can be prevented by vaccination. Anyone who is not fully protected by the vaccine is at risk of becoming ill. Injecting drugs may put you at risk of tetanus even if you have had some doses of the vaccine. If you have had the full five doses of the vaccine you are unlikely to get tetanus, and if you do get tetanus the illness will be less severe.
Check whether you’ve had the five recommended doses of tetanus vaccine (three as part of childhood immunisations, and two booster doses later). If you have not had all five doses, or are not sure, please discuss with the harm reduction team
It is also recommended that people who use drugs are vaccinated annually to protect against flu and COVID-19.
People who are at risk can get vaccinated in Community Vaccination Clinics across Tayside . Please speak with the harm reduction team for more information.
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