TBE prophylaxis - every vaccination counts

The season when ticks are particularly active lasts until October, depending on the weather. The best protection against TBE infection is vaccination. Two vaccines are currently licensed in Switzerland for adults and children. Three doses are necessary for complete basic immunization, but it is never too late to catch up on one or more vaccinations. The costs are covered within the framework of the basic insurance.

Tick-borne meningoencephalitis, also called early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE), caused by a virus, is one of the two most important tick-borne diseases, together with Lyme disease (caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi). While Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, there is no specific treatment for TBE, but there is a very effective vaccination [1–4].

Vaccination recommendation for persons over 6 years of age at risk of exposure

TBE vaccination is recommended for all adults and children 6 years of age and older who spend continuous or prolonged time in areas with infected ticks [1–4]. Whether children under 6 years of age should be vaccinated must be considered on an individual basis. In this age group, a disease usually occurs at most in a mild form. Up to 1% of ticks can be carriers of the TBE virus. The virus is not only found in Switzerland (all cantons except Geneva and Ticino are TBE risk areas), but also in Germany, Austria, Eastern and Northern Europe, the Baltic States and Russia, among others. The TBE virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. These occur mainly in areas of deciduous and mixed forests with dense undergrowth up to an altitude of 1200 to about 1500 m a.s.l. [1–4].

Accelerated vaccination schedule possible

The risk of becoming infected with the TBE virus is relatively small; in Switzerland, a total of about 100 to 250 cases are expected each year. But if one suffers a TBE infection, there is a risk of a severe course of the disease with irreversible damage. About 10% of those infected with the TBE virus develop meningitis, which can lead to neurological sequelae and can also be fatal; the remainder show a mild flu-like course [1–4].

TBE vaccination schedule

3 doses at time points of 0, 1 and 6 months for TBE-Immun ^CC® or
0, 1 and 10 months for ^Encepur®.

For both vaccines, an accelerated vaccination schedule with an interval between the first two vaccine doses shortened to 14 days can be used

The dosage of the vaccine is age-dependent and must be adjusted according to age for the particular vaccine at the time of vaccination.

Booster vaccination is recommended every 10 years.

to [5,7]

The vaccination is generally well tolerated. Local reactions (redness, small swelling, pain) at the injection site are observed in about one third of people. These reactions disappear after 1 to 2 days. According to the TBE vaccination schedule (box), the first two doses are generally administered one month apart and already provide effective but time-limited protection [5]. The third vaccine dose is administered either after 6 months (TBE-Immun ^CC®) or after 10 months (^Encepur®), depending on the vaccine used [6,7]. In the accelerated vaccination schedule, the interval between the first and second doses of both vaccines can be shortened to 14 days [5,6].

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