The Vaccination: Benefits And Side Effects – Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a feverish infection of the meninges and brain. The triggering viruses get into the blood through a tick bite and spread in the central nervous system. TBE should not be confuse with another infection cause by a tick bite, Lyme disease.
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Why the TBE vaccination?
The causative agents of TBE disease are transmit through infect tick saliva. They get into the human bloodstream and attack the central nervous system. Transmission from person to person is not probable. With a TBE vaccination, a disease can be prevent in 95 percent of cases. Discover everything about vaccination
TBE vaccination is not a tick protection vaccination
Necessary: The vaccination against TBE is often refer to as a “tick vaccination.” However, it only protects against the pathogens that cause tick-borne encephalitis and not against other diseases that ticks can spread, such as Lyme sickness.
TBE infections more common in warm months
Most TBE diseases are record in the warm months between May and September since ticks are only active between April and November. The name tick-borne encephalitis can also be derive from this. However, the actual incidence of incidents each year is mainly dependent on how severe the previous winter was. If the winter months were freezing. There would be fewer ticks in the following year than in a mild winter and, therefore, fewer cases of TBE.
Development of meningoencephalitis
In a small proportion of those infect, meningitis develops. Usually benign, after the onset of the disease, leading to memory and concentration disorders and severe headaches. In the case of a decisive course of the disease, this can result in the meningoencephalitis that gives it its name. In this case, the swelling affects the meninges and the brain itself. Accompanying symptoms can be paralysis, unconsciousness, or seizures. Very rarely does such an inflammation also leads to death.
Who should get the TBE vaccination?
The TBE vaccination is not generally recommend. Since the TBE virus only occurs in so-called natural herds, i.e., only in specific, regionally clearly delimit areas, there has no reason for the Standing Vaccine Committee (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute to do so make a general recommendation. The affect areas.
TBE vaccination in three steps
A dead vaccine is use to vaccinate against TBE disease, with two different sera use for children and adults. The vaccine for children contains only half as many antigens as that for adults since the immune system in children is sufficiently stimulated due to the lower number of antigens.
The immunization is divide into three partial vaccinations, which should be out within one year.
The first TBE vaccination preferably takes place in winter so that there is already a high number of antibodies in the blood at the beginning of the TBE season. In principle, however, vaccine is possible at any time.
The second vaccination dosage is give one to three calendar months after the first vaccination. Shortly after that, reliable vaccination protection is available.
How long does the vaccination protection of the TBE vaccination last?
The vaccination protection lasts for about five years with complete immunization, so a booster is possible every three to five years. However, it is advisable to have the antibody level in the blood check before the next vaccination to assess the actual vaccine protection better and thus avoid unnecessary booster vaccinations.
Rapid immunization for TBE vaccination is possible
Suppose the stay in one of the designate risk areas is plan at short notice, and there is no time for the conventional procedure of the TBE vaccination. In that case, there is the possibility of a quick immunization. The vaccine schedule is shorten and given two vaccine doses within two weeks or three doses within three weeks. The exact procedure depends on which vaccine is used and should be discuss with the doctor treating you. Optimal protection is available within the framework of rapid immunization about two weeks after the last vaccination. A booster dose should given one year after the previous dose to achieve long-term security.
When should the TBE vaccination not be carried out?
If the person to be vaccinate has an acute infection accompanied by fever. They should not be vaccinate until two weeks after fully recovering.
Another vaccine should be use if symptoms have occur after a previous vaccine that goes beyond the normal range of reactions, such as fainting or febrile seizures. The same applies to known allergies to an ingredient in the vaccine. This is particularly relevant for people allergic to chicken protein since some TBE vaccines are grown on cell cultures from chickens.
Do small children need the TBE vaccination?
It is striking that the possible side effects of the vaccine largely coincide with the symptoms of the actual TBE disease. Although the signs of the TBE vaccination occur only about half as often, the side effects seem to outweigh the benefits. In particular, children under the age of three are more likely to have side effects from vaccinations. Because TBE is usually uncritical of them, it speaks against vaccinating small children.
Conclusion
A clear decision as to whether a TBE vaccination makes sense or not can only made on a case-by-case basis. You should therefore have a detailed consultation with your doctor before each so that he can explain the opportunities and risks of the immunization to you and. If necessary, suggest alternatives.