Feb 26 • 16:28 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

Protect yourself before the snow melts: 10 answers about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine

The article discusses the effectiveness of the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine, with a pharmacist stating it can be up to 98% effective but does not guarantee immunity against the disease if bitten by an infected tick.

The article discusses the effectiveness of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine, highlighting that it can be up to 98% effective in preventing infection. Despite its high efficacy, the vaccine does not provide absolute immunity, meaning individuals can still contract the virus if bitten by an infected tick. This underscores the importance of vaccination as a means to bolster the body's ability to combat the infection and reduce severe complications, such as seizures, paralysis, and other neurological effects, which can arise from the disease. The article also mentions fatal cases associated with TBE, reinforcing the vaccine’s significance in public health, especially in regions where ticks are common.

Furthermore, the article includes the testimony of a woman from Vilnius who shares her harrowing experience after a forest outing, emphasizing the real dangers posed by tick bites. She aims to raise awareness about the necessity of vaccination to prevent similar experiences for others. The vaccine is made from inactivated particles of the TBE virus, ensuring that it cannot cause an active infection, thereby making vaccination a safe preventative measure for susceptible populations, particularly during tick season. As symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis can lead to long-term health issues, the article serves as an important public health reminder for individuals living in or visiting tick-infested regions.

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