Who receives immunoglobulin after a tick bite? - briefly
Immunoglobulin is given to individuals bitten by ticks who have confirmed or suspected tick‑borne encephalitis and cannot be vaccinated, are immunocompromised, or are otherwise at high risk of severe disease.
Who receives immunoglobulin after a tick bite? - in detail
Individuals who are administered immunoglobulin after a tick bite are primarily those at high risk for severe tick‑borne illnesses, especially tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE). The following groups meet the criteria for passive immunization:
- Persons without prior vaccination against TBE who have been bitten by an infected tick in endemic regions.
- Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those receiving chemotherapy, organ‑transplant recipients, or individuals with HIV/AIDS, for whom active vaccine response may be inadequate.
- Pregnant women and infants under one year of age when exposure occurs in areas of high TBE incidence, because live‑attenuated vaccines are contraindicated for these populations.
- Travelers from non‑endemic countries who lack immunity and encounter ticks in high‑risk zones during short‑term visits.
- Individuals who cannot complete the full vaccine schedule due to urgent exposure or logistical constraints, and therefore require immediate protective antibodies.
Administration of immunoglobulin is typically a single intramuscular dose of 200 IU (or the equivalent recommended by local health authorities) given as soon as possible after the bite, ideally within 72 hours. This passive prophylaxis supplies immediate neutralizing antibodies, bridging the gap until active immunity can be achieved through vaccination, if indicated.