From the autumn – changes: some people will be vaccinated against diseases spread in Lithuania free of charge

The State Health Insurance Fund (VLK) has just announced that it has purchased 72,600 doses of the Pfizer tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. The purchase cost the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund almost 860 thousand. euros. From September 1, all residents aged 50-55 will be vaccinated with this vaccine free of charge.

Residual effects – even disability

Agne Grušeckiene, advisor of the Department of Centrally Paid Medicines of VLK, reminded that tick-borne encephalitis is a dangerous disease that can be prevented.

“Tick-borne encephalitis affects the brain, its covering or peripheral nerves. It is one of the most severe viral infections of the human central nervous system. It is characterized by residual phenomena, sometimes causing disability.

Therefore, the disease is dangerous – both Lithuanian doctors and World Health Organization experts emphasize that vaccinations are the most effective means of preventing tick-borne encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for this disease, only the symptoms of the disease are reduced. And vaccinations can help prevent this disease,” the specialist emphasized on the “Ryto Espresso” program of “Žiniai Radio”.

A. Grušeckienė reminded that tick-borne encephalitis can be contracted in two ways – usually it happens after a tick bite. Another way is by consuming unpasteurized goat or cow milk and their products, which are infected with this virus.

Why will only some people be able to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis for free?

More than 72 thousand people have already reached Lithuania. vaccine doses, when asked why Pfizer was chosen, the specialist explained that it won the competition.

“There is no specific treatment for this disease, only the symptoms of the disease are reduced. And vaccinations can help prevent this disease.”

“Conditions were created for another manufacturer’s vaccine to win, and we currently have the Pfizer vaccine. The next purchase will show what kind of vaccine it will be. It is possible that it will be from another manufacturer as well,” said the representative of the health fund.

Why is it free from September 1st? will only 50-55-year-olds be vaccinated? According to the interlocutor, this age group was not chosen randomly.

“Scientific research was conducted in Lithuania, which showed that the average age of tick-borne encephalitis patients is 55 years. A large number of patients who have contracted this disease lose their ability to work, so the vaccine is starting to be compensated for people who are still of working age,” said A. Grušeckienė.

She pointed out that in the future it will be decided to expand the age groups of people who could also be vaccinated for free: “This is just the beginning, when the population of the said age group will be vaccinated.”

At that time, persons who do not belong to the mentioned age group can still be vaccinated at their own expense.

What will the vaccination plan look like?

When asked what the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination plan will look like, the interviewer explained that everything will depend on whether a person has already been vaccinated against this disease.

“If a person has not been vaccinated at all, it will be a full vaccination schedule. According to the usual scheme of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis, vaccination is carried out with an interval of 1-3 months between the first and second doses, after which immunity develops.

“Scientific research was conducted in Lithuania, which showed that the average age of tick-borne encephalitis patients is 55 years.”

The third dose of the vaccine is given after 5-12 months. After that, a vaccine is needed after 3 years and then every 5 years to maintain immunity. Also, if a person has not been vaccinated during the cold season, there is an opportunity to get vaccinated with a quick schedule.

Then there is an interval of 2 weeks between the first and second doses, the 3rd vaccine dose is given after 5-12 months, and then every 3-5 years, as in the first case,” she taught.

Portal tv3.lt reminds that Ginreta Megelinskienė, advisor of the Health Promotion Department of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health, has explained that the most important criterion for receiving free vaccination is to belong to the age group of 50-55 years.

“For example, if he has not received the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine at all, he will be able to be vaccinated at the expense of the state, and also if he may have been vaccinated according to the primary scheme and there is time for revaccination, if he belongs to that age group, he will be able to be vaccinated. The main criterion is to belong to a specific age group,” said the SAM representative.