I forgot to get the second or third dose of tick-borne encephalitis vaccination: the doctor told me what to do in this case

– Let’s start with how vaccination schedules are made in general: who needs booster doses?

– Vaccination schedules are determined during clinical trials. Antibodies produced after vaccination fade over time, so they are called necessary busters.

– If we talk about vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis: what is the schedule here for adults and children?

– In Lithuania, there are two vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis, so depending on which one you choose, the vaccination schedule is different. The dose for adults is 0.5 ml, for children – 0.25 ml. Children are vaccinated from the age of one year. Vaccination schedules for both children and adults do not differ. Both vaccines require three doses followed by a booster. If rapid immunization is required (in the event that protection is required quickly), the second dose is administered 7 days after the first vaccination, the third dose 21 days after the first vaccination. The first revaccination is 12-18 months after the third dose. Additional revaccinations (or further revaccinations), depending on age: 12-49 years: every 5 years, after 49 years – every 3 years.

– What if you only had one dose and missed the second? How long does it take for the first vaccination to completely expire?

– The second dose should be given within 3 months. A single dose of the vaccine does not protect. Protection occurs after the second dose after 2-3 weeks.

– What if you vaccinate immediately after the tick bites?

– For post-exposure prophylaxis, tick-borne encephalitis vaccines are not used, they do not protect. If a person is infected by a tick within 1 month. time does not get tick-borne encephalitis, then you can get vaccinated. After contracting tick-borne encephalitis, good immunity is formed and vaccination is not required.

– And does two doses of the vaccine protect?

– The third dose is recommended after 5-12 months. or after 9-12 months, depending on which vaccine you choose.

– What if you missed the third dose and, let’s say, two years have passed since the first two vaccinations?

– I would recommend taking the third dose and after 1 month. to check immunity – perform a tick-borne encephalitis IgG test. Antibodies are usually produced well and revaccination is not necessary.

– When will those two vaccinations expire and when will it be necessary to get three more vaccinations?

– There is no need to re-vaccinate. If you forget to vaccinate on time, extend the vaccination as soon as possible and, as I already mentioned, after 1 month. blood tests should be performed – an IgG test for tick-borne encephalitis should be performed.

– How effectively do the three vaccines protect against the disease?

– According to data from various sources, the effectiveness of tick-borne encephalitis vaccines ranges from 90.1 percent. up to 98.9 percent

– The next maintenance dose should be given after three or five years. How necessary is it? Or can we expect that three doses will provide full protection for a lifetime?

– The protective antibodies produced after vaccination fade over time, so the vaccine needs to be repeated.

– What else is important to note about the vaccination schedule?

– The first and second doses of the vaccine are best given in winter. This is because the active period of ticks begins in the spring. In this way, sufficient immune protection will be formed before the period of tick activity. The third dose completes the main vaccination course. Ideally, vaccination should be completed with the third dose during the same tick season or at least before the start of a new tick season.

It is also important to mention that the State Sick Fund under the Ministry of Health (VLK) purchased 72,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis. From September 1, all 50-55-year-old residents will be vaccinated with this vaccine free of charge.