How long after exposure are tick vaccinations administered? - briefly
There is no post‑exposure vaccine for most tick‑borne diseases; immunity is obtained by vaccinating before contact with ticks. If a post‑exposure immunization is advised, it must be given within 72 hours of the bite.
How long after exposure are tick vaccinations administered? - in detail
Tick‑borne disease prevention relies on immunisation before contact with infected vectors, not after a bite. The principal vaccines relevant to tick exposure are for tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) and, historically, Lyme disease; both follow a pre‑exposure schedule.
Tick‑borne encephalitis vaccine
- First dose: administered at least 2 weeks before entering an endemic area; protective antibody levels typically develop 2–4 weeks after injection.
- Second dose: given 1–3 months after the initial dose to complete the primary series.
- Booster: recommended every 3–5 years, depending on regional guidelines and individual risk.
- Post‑exposure: no booster or therapeutic dose is advised; the vaccine does not treat an existing infection.
Lyme disease vaccine
- Commercially available vaccines have been withdrawn; experimental candidates are still in clinical trials and follow a pre‑exposure regimen similar to TBE (multiple doses spaced weeks apart).
- No post‑exposure vaccination protocol exists; early antibiotic therapy is the accepted treatment after a confirmed bite.
General post‑exposure management
- Immediate medical assessment is required after a tick bite.
- If the tick is identified as a carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi and the bite occurred within 72 hours, a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) is recommended as prophylaxis.
- No vaccine is administered after the encounter; immunisation must precede exposure to confer protection.
In summary, tick‑related vaccines are given before risk exposure, with the first dose requiring a lead time of at least two weeks to become effective. After a bite, treatment relies on antibiotics rather than vaccination.