Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine - side effects

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

In Russia, there are several mandatory vaccinations from the national calendar. Consider the side effects and contraindications of tick-borne encephalitis vaccination.

Danger of tick-borne encephalitis

This is a serious infectious disease that affects the nervous system. The ixodid tick is a carrier of the disease.

Annually, about 10,000 cases of tick-borne encephalitis infection are recorded in the country. The mortality rate reaches 30%. The disease becomes chronic in 1-3% of diseased patients.

The main route of infection is through a tick bite, but the virus can enter the human body through the consumption of contaminated food, such as cow's or goat's milk. The season starts in April, May. If the winter was warm, then insects can activate earlier, that is, already in February. Ticks continue their activity for a long time, until the onset of frost in November.

On the territory of Russia, tick-borne encephalitis is common in the following areas:

• in Siberia;
• in the Urals;
• in the Far East;
• in the Perm region;
• in Irkutsk, Leningrad, Arkhangelsk regions;
• in the Republic of Tatarstan.

The incubation period is long - 30 days. Because of this, a person often does not associate a tick bite and a deterioration in well-being. The first symptoms of infection are similar to those of SARS. Later, other manifestations join:

• weakness in the limbs;
• general weakness;
• headache;
• temperature increase;
• muscle pain;
• fever.

The danger of tick-borne encephalitis is that infected ticks are not found in the taiga, as is commonly thought. They can live on a playground, a personal plot, a lawn near the entrance. When bitten, a tick injects an anesthetic substance into the wound, a person notices the danger only after 1-2 days.

Every fifth tick bite leads to infection with encephalitis, because according to medical statistics, 20% of ticks are infected with the virus.

Indications for vaccination

Every year the State Epidemiological Service decides which category of citizens should be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis in connection with the situation of each specific year. Main groups for immunization:

• population living in an endemic area;
• citizens who are sent to work in places with outbreaks of this infection;
• persons who go on vacation to the danger zone in the spring - summer time;
• specialists who work with material containing a virus.

Other people can be vaccinated at will.

The infection virus lives in the tick for 4 years. During this time, he can bite many people and animals.

Contraindications for vaccination

There are restrictions for vaccination that must be strictly observed:

• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• infectious, non-infectious diseases in the acute stage (vaccination will be done a month after recovery);
• acute stage of chronic diseases;
• drug allergy, food allergy to chicken protein;
• bronchial asthma;
• diabetes;
• epilepsy;
• tuberculosis;
• oncology;
• reduced immunity, HIV, AIDS;
• connective tissue pathology;
• complications from previous vaccinations;
• pregnancy;
• feeding the baby with breast milk;
• allergy to the introduction of the first dose of the drug.

Children under 1 year of age are not vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.

Side effects

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations are well tolerated, and side effects are rare. Sometimes redness and infiltration form at the injection site. Without treatment, such local phenomena disappear after 5 days.

In rare cases, the temperature rises by 1-1, 5 ºС. It quickly normalizes without the intervention of a doctor. General malaise, weakness, headaches, and joint aches are observed. Such signs require a doctor's consultation, as they are similar to a viral infection.

Complications from vaccination include allergic reactions at the injection site. A rash, redness, itching appears on the skin. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock occurs. If the drug was stored incorrectly or has expired, then suppuration may occur at the vaccination site. The high temperature will persist for a long time, and convulsions may occur.

Children are vaccinated from the age of 4. Some vaccinations are designed for a child from 3 years of age. Each product indicates the age from which vaccination is allowed. Experts recommend vaccinating children with foreign vaccines, they are easier to tolerate.

The compositions of all modern tick-borne encephalitis vaccines are most effective. Even if after immunization a person falls ill, the disease will proceed easily and without complications.

There are several vaccination regimens. The choice of option depends on the required rate of immunization, the availability of the drug, and other factors.

Interesting! Vaccination against meningococcal infection for children and adults

Strong immune protection is formed in 87% of cases of vaccination against encephalitis.

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is necessary to combat a serious illness. The presence of side effects should not stop, because the infection can lead to more serious complications for the body. It is necessary to take into account the contraindications for immunization, the age of the patients. There are domestic and foreign means for vaccination. These are modern drugs with high efficiency.

Outcomes

Conclusions:

• from tick-borne encephalitis it is necessary to vaccinate, especially to people at risk;
• there are special vaccination schemes, which include several injections;
• children can be vaccinated from 4 years old, and with some drugs from an earlier age;
• vaccinated people can get sick, but they will get the disease easier, without complications.