Tick-borne encephalitis - vaccination starts in September
From 1 September, people aged 50-55 (inclusive) who are covered by health insurance will be able to get a free vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. The State Patients' Fund purchased 72 600 doses of the vaccine produced by Pfizer in the spring of this year, at a cost to the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund of almost €860 000.
"As a significant number of cases result in loss of working capacity, the first priority is to protect people of working age. The age group for vaccination was chosen on the basis of scientific studies which have shown that the average age of people with tick-borne encephalitis in Lithuania is 55 years old," says Agnė Grušeckienė, Advisor to the Centrally Paid Medicines Division of the State Patients' Fund .
Tick-borne encephalitis is a severe viral infection that affects the brain, its membranes or peripheral nerves. The disease can cause long-term health problems and, in some cases, even disability. The virus is most commonly spread by ticks, which can be found throughout Lithuania, but it can also be contracted by consuming unpasteurised milk or milk products from virus-infected animals.
Lithuanian medical experts and World Health Organisation experts unanimously agree that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this dangerous disease. The treatment of tick-borne encephalitis is only symptomatic, as there are no specific drugs against the virus. Vaccination is therefore the only reliable protection.
The standard vaccination schedule requires three doses of the vaccine. The first two doses are administered 1-3 months apart and are followed by an immunity that protects against the disease for at least a year. The third dose is given 5-12 months later. To maintain protective immunity, the first maintenance dose should be given 3 years after the third dose and every 5 years thereafter.
If the vaccination is started during the active tick season, an accelerated vaccination schedule may be used, with the first two doses administered 2 weeks apart.
It is important to know that the vaccine does not protect if a tick bites before the vaccination starts or less than two weeks after the second dose. Full protection is not established until two weeks after the second dose.
For vaccinations reimbursed by health insurance funds, patients must go to their family doctor at the health centre where they are registered.
Last updated: 12-11-2024
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