Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine

Viral vaccines less generally available than those listed in die table include Congo Crimean haemorrhagic fever vaccine, dengue fever vaccine, Japanese encephalitis B vaccine, smallpox vaccine, tick borne encephalitis vaccine, and Venezuelan encephalitis vaccine. 

Positive merthiolate tests were found in eight of 30 patients with suspected adverse reactions to tetanus or tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (local inflammatory reactions at the injection site, fever, lymphadenopathy, urticarial or lichenoid exanthemas) (1). 

Vodicka J, Jelinkova H, Chrobok V. Smell impairment after tick-borne encephalitis vaccination. Vaccine 2010 28 886-8. 

A 34-year-old woman with immune thrombocytopenic purpura was treated with splenectomy and was immunized against pneumococci, meningococci, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. She had been well for 3 years, but 2 weeks after a first dose of tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (FSME-Immun, Baxter ), her platelet count fell to 37 x 10 /l. She was given dexamethasone 40 mg/day for 4 days and her platelet count normalized and remained stable. 

Lindemayr H, Drobil M, Ebner H. Impfreaktionen nach Tetanus- und Fruhsommer-meningoenzephalitisschutzimp-fung durch Merthiolat (Thiomersal). [Reactions to vaccinations against tetanus and tick-borne encephalitis caused by merthiolate (thiomersal).] Hautarzt 1984 35(4) 192-6. 

While not recommended for routine administration, vaccines additional to those represented in the juvenile programme are available for individuals in special risk categories. These categories relate to occupational risks or risks associated with travel abroad. Such immunization protocols include those directed against cholera, typhoid, meningitis (type A), anthrax, hepatitis A and B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever. 

During the 1970s, together with the Institute of Hygiene of Vienna University, the development and production of a vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis from chicken embryonic cells was successfully implemented. 

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is found as a broad band from Europe to Siberia and is also present in Japan and parts of Asia. In Europe, Austria has one of the highest incidences. Those expecting to be trekking and walking in forested areas of endemic countries are often advised to receive the TBE vaccine. The virus in the saliva of the tick multiples rapidly during feeding so early removal of the tick would not be of great benefit. 

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