tick-borne encephalitis vaccination
One licensed vaccine (Tico-Vac) is available currently
- produced from virus grown in chick fibroblasts and then inactivated by formaldehyde; it is supplied as a suspension of 0.5ml for injection in a pre-filled syringe
- vaccine contains the Neudorfl virus strain, has been shown to be effective against the European subtype, and is probably effective against the more aggressive Far Eastern subtype of TBE
- vaccine contains aluminium hydroxide and trace quantities of neomycin and gentamicin
- inactivated, does not contain live organisms and cannot cause the disease against which it protects
Indications:
- TBE vaccine is used for the protection of individuals at high risk of exposure to the virus through travel or employment
- risk areas are Eastern Europe, former USSR and forested regions of Austria, Germany, the Balkans and Scandanavia
- for longterm residents, foresters, scouts and ramblers
Precautions
- there are no direct evidence associated with vaccinating pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding, with inactivated virus or bacterial vaccines or toxoids
Contraindications:
- the vaccine should not be given to those who have had:
- a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of TBE vaccine
- a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to one of the vaccine components
- a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to egg ingestion
Adverse Reactions:
- reported reactions to TBE vaccines are rare
- local reactions such as swelling, pain and redness at the injection site may occur
- pyrexia, particularly after the first dose can occur in children and adults, usually occurring within 12 hours of immunisation and settling within 24–48 hours
- febrile convulsions have rarely occurred, and antipyretic treatment and cooling should be initiated in good time
Check uptodate details in the The Green Book before prescribing/administering a TBE vaccination.
Check the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) before prescribing/administering a vaccine.
Reference:
- (1) Immunisation Against Infectious Disease - "The Green Book".Chapter 31 Tick-borne (April 2019)