What is the name of the vaccine against tick‑borne encephalitis? - briefly
The licensed vaccines for tick‑borne encephalitis are FSME‑Immun and Encepur. Both are inactivated viral preparations given in a three‑dose schedule.
What is the name of the vaccine against tick‑borne encephalitis? - in detail
The vaccine that protects against tick‑borne encephalitis is marketed primarily under the names Encepur and FSME‑Immune (also sold as TicoVac in some regions). Both formulations contain inactivated whole‑virus particles derived from the European strain of the tick‑borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and are approved for use throughout Europe and parts of Asia.
Encepur is produced by GSK and uses the Neudoerfl strain, while FSME‑Immune, manufactured by Pfizer (now under the name Bavarian Nordic), employs the Austrian K23 strain. The two vaccines differ slightly in their antigenic composition but provide comparable immunogenicity. Each dose contains purified viral antigens combined with an aluminium‑hydroxide adjuvant to enhance the immune response.
The standard immunisation schedule consists of three intramuscular injections:
- First dose (day 0)
- Second dose (1–3 months after the first)
- Third dose (5–12 months after the second)
For adults, a booster is recommended every 3–5 years, depending on the product and the individual’s risk exposure. Seroconversion rates after the primary series exceed 95 % in clinical trials, and protective antibody titres persist for several years.
Safety data show that adverse events are typically mild and transient, including local pain, redness, and low‑grade fever. Serious reactions such as allergic responses occur in less than 0.1 % of recipients. Both vaccines have been evaluated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national regulatory agencies, confirming their efficacy and safety profiles.
Availability varies by country: Encepur and FSME‑Immune are listed in national immunisation programmes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and other endemic nations. In regions where TBE is not endemic, the vaccines may be obtained through travel clinics or specialist pharmacies.
In summary, the two principal commercial preparations—Encepur and FSME‑Immune (TicoVac)—constitute the licensed preventive measures against tick‑borne encephalitis, offering high efficacy, a well‑defined dosing regimen, and an established safety record.