What is the TBE vaccination?
The TBE vaccination (colloquially: tick vaccination) is a protective vaccination against early summer meningoencephalitis. This tick-borne viral infection is rare, but can have serious consequences: The viruses can cause inflammation of the meninges, brain and spinal cord. This can have prolonged or even permanent neurological consequences such as paralysis. In rare cases, TBE even leads to death.
TBE vaccination only prevents infection with TBE viruses – it does not provide protection against other tick-borne pathogens (such as Lyme disease bacteria)!
Who should receive the TBE vaccination?
The TBE vaccination is recommended in Germany by the responsible authorities (Robert Koch Institute) for the following people:
- Occupational groups that could come into contact with the TBE virus during their work: These include, for example, foresters, hunters, forestry workers, agricultural workers, and medical laboratory workers.
TBE risk areas
Other European countries where TBE viruses are widespread include Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Sweden and Finland. In contrast, the risk of TBE transmission is very low in Italy, France, Norway and Denmark, for example.
You can find out more about the areas in Germany and abroad where there is a risk of TBE infection in the article TBE areas.
How is the TBE vaccination administered?
The two available TBE vaccines are considered equivalent and interchangeable. Nevertheless, the same TBE vaccine should always be used for basic immunization and booster shots, if possible.
TBE basic immunization
In addition to this standard vaccination schedule, there is also a rapid vaccination schedule (for example, for trips to a TBE risk area planned at short notice). Depending on the vaccine used, the doctor administers the second vaccination dose as early as 14 days after the first and the third dose five to twelve months after the second injection, as in the standard scheme. Or the second vaccination is given as early as seven days after the first and the third dose 14 days after the second.
TBE vaccination: booster
For one vaccine, the first booster is due three years after basic immunization – regardless of whether it was administered according to the standard schedule or the rapid vaccination schedule. Subsequent TBE booster vaccinations should then be given at five-year intervals for people between the ages of 16 and under 60. People 60 years of age or older should have the TBE booster every three years.
TBE vaccination: children
In children, early summer meningoencephalitis usually heals without consequences. Nevertheless, vaccination protection is important for them: Children play a lot outdoors – in forests and meadows – and are therefore bitten more often by ticks. The probability of TBE infection is therefore higher among them than among adults.
As a preventive measure, children can be vaccinated against TBE from their first birthday. There are also two special TBE vaccines available for children:
The accelerated vaccination schedule is the same as for the corresponding adult vaccine (see above).
- Second, there is a vaccine for children 1 to 15 years of age. The standard and accelerated vaccination schedules are the same as for the corresponding adult vaccine.
TBE vaccination: side effects
Most often, TBE vaccination causes side effects at the injection site (redness, swelling, pain). In addition, general discomfort may occur in the first few days after vaccination, such as increased temperature, faintness, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, malaise or gastrointestinal discomfort. Such side effects usually occur only after the first dose of vaccine, and less frequently after further injections. In addition, they soon subside on their own.
If the TBE vaccination triggers side effects, one should inform the doctor about it before the next vaccination appointment.
TBE vaccination: costs
Public health insurers usually pay for TBE vaccination for people who live in risk areas. For certain occupational groups (such as foresters), the employer usually covers the cost of the vaccination.
