Over the past ten years, the number of cases of tick-borne meningitis (TBE) has increased by around 6 percent annually. On Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Sweden will present new recommendations regarding vaccination against the disease.
The agency has divided Sweden into three different risk areas. All people over three years of age who are at risk of being bitten by ticks in risk area 1 are recommended to get vaccinated. People with weakened immune systems who live in or regularly visit risk areas 1 or 2, as well as neighboring municipalities, are also recommended to get vaccinated.
The regions provide the TBE vaccine, and the new recommendations should be seen as support for vaccination decisions.
Anyone who lives or stays in areas where the TBE virus is found should get vaccinated, according to 1177. The virus is mainly found in southern and central Sweden. It is most common along the coastal areas in Stockholm, Södermanland and Uppsala counties, as well as around Lake Mälaren.
People up to age 50 should receive two doses 1–3 months apart and a booster dose after one year, according to guidelines from the Swedish Society of Infectious Disease Physicians. After that, further booster doses follow a specific schedule.
People over 50 or with weakened immune systems are recommended to receive three doses a few months apart, then another dose after a year, followed by booster doses.
According to infectious disease physician Ulrika Marking at the Public Health Agency of Sweden, protection can be expected two weeks after the second dose, but long-term protection requires additional doses.
If you have missed a dose, consult your vaccination clinic or health center.
