Special immunizations like tetanus or Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B are not routinely needed during disaster clean-up.  Those who are injured while cleaning up after the tornado should seek medical attention and be evaluated for the need to have a tetanus booster.  These vaccine preventable diseases are uncommon in a situation like tornado clean-up.  Adults need a tetanus booster every ten years and children need a series of shots between 2-18 months as well as 2 booster shots between 4-12 years of age.

Use these injury-prevention tips while doing disaster clean-up:

·        Wear protective clothing

·        Sturdy shoes with covered toes and hard soles

·        Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts

·        Use heavy, waterproof gloves, such as leather gloves

·        Wear eye protection

·        Wash your hands frequently with soap and water

Take care of a wound right away if you are injured:

·        Wash your hands first

·        For minor scrapes and cuts, clean the wound with soap and water, dry the area and cover with a clean, dry bandage.

·        Check with your doctor or clinic to see if you need a tetanus shot.  The answer depends on the type of wound and when you last had a shot

·        For more serious wounds, clean the dirt around the wound, cover the injury and seek medical care

·        If you go to the Albert Lea Medical Center-Mayo Health system, visit Urgent Care located on the 1st floor of the medical center near the Emergency Room. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekends.

Here is a link to additional information about immunizations and disasters: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/imzfloodpub.pdf