The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has made some changes to the TBE vaccine recommendations to clarify who the recommendations apply to. The update identifies which geographical areas are most at risk of contracting TBE virus as a result of a tick bite.
Recommendations concern:
- Coastal areas as the risk of infection is greatest along the coast.
- Vaccination is recommended for people who are frequently bitten by ticks.
Health Service is considering a vaccine against TBE for people who are often bitten by ticks in areas where tick-borne encephalitis has been reported:
- Southern Norway and the western coast of the Oslofjord from Flekkefjord to Drammen inclusive.
- The eastern coast of the Oslofjord from Vestby up to and including the Swedish border.
TBE vaccine
The risk of infection is highest in these coastal areas as well as adjacent areas geographically areas. The list of relevant areas has been extended based on two TBE cases in Vestby and Fredrikstad respectively in 2021.
The FHI recommends that vaccination begin in late winter, well before the tick season begins in April. 2 or 3 doses of vaccine are given depending on age and immune status. For those who still need protection, a refresher dose is recommended after 3 years and then every 3 or 5 years depending on age.
The TBE vaccine only protects against infection with the TBE virus (forest tick-borne encephalitis) and not against tick bites or other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease. There is no vaccine against other tick-borne diseases.
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Source: Norwegian Institute of Health Public
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