[Reactions to tick-borne encephalitis vaccination (authors transl)]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Context:

• Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a significant viral neuroinfection prevalent in various parts of Europe and Asia.
• Vaccination is a primary strategy for preventing TBE, necessitating an understanding of its safety profile.
• Evaluating vaccine-induced adverse events is crucial for public health policy and patient counseling.

Purpose:

• To assess the safety and tolerability of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine in a large patient cohort.
• To document the types and frequencies of adverse reactions following TBE vaccination.
• To compare side effect profiles between the first and second doses of the TBE vaccine.

Summary:

• A study of 1457 patients receiving TBE vaccination found no serious side effects leading to permanent disability.
• The first TBE vaccination dose commonly caused generalized and local reactions, including fever, headache, and vomiting, especially in children under 10.
• While systemic reactions decreased after the second dose, local reactions became more frequent, with temporary work capacity reduction anticipated after both doses.

Impact:

• The TBE vaccine demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with adverse events being predominantly transient.
• Understanding the common side effects allows for better patient preparation and management, potentially improving vaccine adherence.
• This data supports the continued use of TBE vaccination as an effective public health measure against a serious disease.