TBE vaccination for children

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious viral disease for which there is no causal treatment. In children, contact with an infected tick may occur even during a short playtime on the grass or a walk in the park. Increasingly, infections also occur in urban parks and home gardens.

Contracting TBE may negatively affect a child’s further development, and the infection is associated with the risk of long-term neurological complications. Vaccination is the most effective form of protection.

Vaccination schedule

A single dose of tick-borne encephalitis vaccine for children may be:

1. part of the primary vaccination cycle (3 doses)::
   • as the first dose initiating protection;
   • as the second dose administered 1-3 months later;
   • as the third dose administered 5-12 months after the second dose.
2. booster: the first booster dose should be given 3 years after completing the primary vaccination cycle, and further booster doses should be given every 5 years after the last booster dose. This helps maintain a high level of immunity.

Vaccination implementation

The vaccination is performed as an intramuscular injection by a nurse in a Medicover Medical Centre, in a child-friendly medical office. Before vaccination, the child must be qualified by a doctor.

NOTE: Qualifying visits for vaccination are not included in the price. Patients who do not have these visits included in their healthcare plan can purchase them separately.

The dates of subsequent doses are determined individually. For your convenience, we will remind you of upcoming visits. Full protection is achieved after receiving 3 doses in the primary vaccination cycle. In order to maintain protection, booster doses are required.

Why is it worth vaccinating your child against TBE?

Climate change means that ticks are active for a larger part of the year, and the risk of contact also concerns children living in cities. TBE is a disease for which there is no causal treatment – only symptomatic treatment and management of complications are possible.

In children, TBE may lead to serious disorders of the nervous system, such as:

• paresis and reduced motor function,
• recurrent headaches,
• learning, memory and concentration difficulties,
• speech and coordination disorders,
• muscle tremors and balance disorders,
• long-term weakness and fatigue,
• emotional changes and adaptation difficulties,
• epilepsy,
• permanent damage to the nervous system.

The effects of TBE may persist for a long time and require neurological rehabilitation. In extreme cases, the disease may be life-threatening.

 Benefits of vaccination for your child:

• reduces the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis,
• protects your child’s sensitive nervous system,
• gives you peace of mind and a sense of responsible care,
• enables safer outdoor activities.

Purchasing process: step by step

1. Select the city and Medicover Medical Centre where you would like the vaccination to be performed.
2. Add a single dose of tick-borne encephalitis vaccine to your basket.
3. Fill in the form with the child’s and guardian’s personal data.
4. Choose the payment method and pay – you have 3 months to use the service.
5. Arrange a qualification visit – the vaccination is performed immediately after it.
6. After the vaccination, you will receive the schedule of subsequent doses, if required.

Important: The price of a single dose of the vaccine does not include the qualification visit. If the child is not qualified for vaccination by a doctor, another consultation will be required on the date indicated by the specialist.

Vaccination against TBE does not protect against Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases. Preventive measures should still be used, such as repellents, appropriate clothing and careful skin inspection after returning home from the outside.