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Can risk area designation help increase vaccination coverage for Tick-Borne Encephalitis? Evidence from German claims
M Ghiani1, C Hagemann2, J Friedrich2
1IPAM e.V, Alter Holzhafen 19, 23966 Wismar, Germany.
Vaccine
|November 8, 2022
Summary
Designating new tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) risk areas significantly boosts vaccination rates, especially immediately following the announcement. This highlights the effectiveness of targeted public health communication for TBE prevention.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) incidence in Germany has risen annually since 2001, with expanding TBE-risk areas.
- Over 700 TBE infections were recorded in 2020, and risk areas now encompass 11 of 16 Federal States.
- TBE is a vaccine-preventable disease, necessitating evaluation of vaccination strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of official TBE-risk area designations on vaccination rates in Germany.
- To analyze vaccination trends in relation to newly designated versus long-standing TBE-risk areas.
Main Methods:
- Utilized claims data from a German statutory health insurance provider (AOK PLUS) in Saxony and Thuringia (2010-2018).
- Calculated yearly incident vaccination rates overall and by district.
- Employed a difference-in-difference analysis to evaluate the association between new risk area designations and vaccination rates.
Main Results:
- Overall vaccination rates increased from 6.2 to 9.5 per 1,000 person-years (2012-2018).
- Districts newly designated as TBE-risk areas showed a substantial increase in vaccination rates, from 5.8 to 14.7 per 1,000 person-years.
- The impact on vaccination rates was most pronounced immediately after a district was designated a risk area.
Conclusions:
- Official designation of a district as a TBE-risk area significantly increases vaccination uptake.
- Public health interventions and risk communication strategies are crucial for enhancing TBE vaccination coverage in endemic regions.
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