When should a vaccine be administered after a tick bite?

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When should a vaccine be administered after a tick bite? - briefly
The initial injection should be given as soon as possible after the bite, ideally within 72 hours and no later than the end of the first week. Subsequent doses follow the standard schedule recommended for the specific vaccine.

When should a vaccine be administered after a tick bite? - in detail
A vaccine should be given only after a careful assessment of exposure risk, the species of tick, and the prevalence of tick‑borne viruses in the area.
If the bite occurred in a region where tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) is endemic and the person has not been previously immunized, the first dose must be administered as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of removal. Delays beyond 72 hours reduce the protective benefit.
The recommended post‑exposure schedule for an unvaccinated individual is:

Day 0: First dose (immediate, after the bite).
Day 7: Second dose, to boost the primary response.
Day 21–30: Third dose, establishing long‑term immunity.

For those who have already completed the primary TBE series, a single booster given within 72 hours can provide rapid protection; the booster should be followed by the regular maintenance dose at the standard interval (usually 5 years).
Key considerations:

Verify that the tick was attached for less than 24 hours; longer attachment increases the likelihood of viral transmission, making prompt vaccination more critical.
Contraindications such as severe allergy to vaccine components, acute febrile illness, or immunosuppression must be ruled out before administration.
If the bite occurred in an area where other pathogens (e.g., Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever) are prevalent, vaccination does not replace the need for appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis or other specific treatments.

In summary, immediate immunization—preferably within two days of the bite—followed by a rapid three‑dose regimen provides optimal protection against TBE after a tick exposure. Subsequent boosters maintain immunity according to the standard schedule.