When can a child receive a tick vaccine? - briefly
At present, no tick vaccine is licensed for pediatric use, so children cannot receive it. If an approved product becomes available, health authorities will set age guidelines, typically starting in early school‑age years.
When can a child receive a tick vaccine? - in detail
The age at which a pediatric patient may be immunized against tick‑borne diseases depends on the specific vaccine that has received regulatory approval.
For the tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine, most European health agencies authorize administration to children as young as one year. The recommended schedule typically includes three primary doses: the first at the chosen start age, the second 1–3 months later, and the third 5–12 months after the second. A booster dose is given 3 years after the third dose, then every 5 years thereafter.
For Lyme disease, no vaccine is currently licensed for use in children in the United States or Europe. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating formulations for pediatric use, but until regulatory approval is granted, administration is limited to adults.
Key considerations for pediatric immunization:
- Age threshold – Minimum age set by the product label (e.g., ≥12 months for TBE).
- Dosing interval – Strict adherence to the interval schedule ensures optimal seroconversion.
- Health status – Children with severe immunodeficiency, acute febrile illness, or known hypersensitivity to vaccine components should defer vaccination.
- Geographic risk – Immunization is advised for children residing in or traveling to endemic regions where tick‑borne pathogens are prevalent.
- Documentation – Accurate recording of each dose facilitates timely booster administration.
In summary, children may receive a TBE vaccine from the first year of life following a three‑dose primary series and subsequent boosters, while a Lyme disease vaccine remains unavailable for pediatric use pending further approval.