After a tick bite, should you get a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis? - briefly
Vaccination against tick‑borne encephalitis is a preventive intervention and is not administered as post‑exposure therapy; after a bite, observation and medical evaluation are recommended. «Vaccination is preventive, not curative», therefore individuals lacking prior immunization should complete the vaccine series before future exposure in endemic regions.
After a tick bite, should you get a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis? - in detail
Vaccination against tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) is recommended for individuals exposed to infected ticks in endemic areas, especially when a bite occurs and the person has not completed the primary immunisation series. The decision depends on several factors.
The risk of infection rises with:
- Presence in regions where TBE‑virus prevalence exceeds 1 % among questing ticks.
- Tick activity during spring and early autumn.
- Lack of prior vaccination or incomplete primary schedule.
If the bite is recent (within 72 hours), post‑exposure prophylaxis with a single dose of the inactivated TBE vaccine can initiate immunity, although full protection requires the standard three‑dose regimen. The first dose should be administered as soon as possible after exposure; the second dose follows 1–3 months later, and the third dose 5–12 months after the second.
Contraindications include:
- Severe allergy to vaccine components.
- Immunosuppression that prevents adequate antibody response.
- Acute febrile illness; vaccination should be deferred until recovery.
Adverse events are generally mild, such as local pain, redness, or low‑grade fever. Serious reactions are rare and comparable to other inactivated vaccines.
Guidelines from health authorities state: «Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against tick‑borne encephalitis». Therefore, after a tick bite, individuals at risk should receive the first vaccine dose promptly, complete the series, and maintain annual boosters according to local recommendations.