Why vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis should be booked and done in advance, said the epidemiologist

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is not included in the National Vaccination Calendar. Nevertheless, the state fully provides certain groups of the population with the appropriate drug. On October 6, Kirill Ignatov, an epidemiologist, head of the immunoprophylaxis department of the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, told reporters, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

According to the expert, free (for epidemic indications) vaccinate citizens traveling as part of organized groups in the territory endemic to tick-borne encephalitis. Also, for budgetary funds against tick-borne encephalitis, specialists of the Armed Forces, the Border Guard Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, whose service or work is associated with being in a wooded area, are vaccinated. This list also includes people permanently residing in areas endemic to this infection.

- For this category of citizens, a vaccine for the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis is constantly available in health organizations due to the fact that it is purchased in advance, explained K. Ignatov. Purchases are formed this year for the next. That is, this vaccine is supplied regularly and is always available in medical institutions.

For other citizens, including parents who want to protect their children before the summer season, vaccination is available on a fee basis.

- In this case, healthcare organizations, both public and private, determine the volume and name of the drug independently, said K. Ignatov. And they also buy it themselves for implementation at the expense of citizens’ own funds.

To avoid a situation where the vaccine is not available at the height of the season, the epidemiologist advised to come to his territorial clinic in advance and register on the waiting list. This will allow the administration of the institution to clearly calculate how many doses of the drug (for both adults and children) need to be purchased from suppliers.

At the same time, K. Ignatov warned, it is ineffective to protect yourself from tick-borne encephalitis in the height of summer, when you are already planning a trip to nature:

- The best time to start vaccination is in winter or early spring. This is due to the fact that a person needs to have time to complete a full course of vaccination, after which the body needs time to develop a strong and reliable immunity to a dangerous infection.