2024-05-01 21:50:19
Why will the free vaccination only be for this age group?
“She was not chosen by chance. Research conducted in Lithuania showed that the average age of tick-borne encephalitis patients is 55 years. A large number of patients suffering from this disease lose their ability to work. Therefore, the vaccine has started to be compensated for people of working age”, – explained Agnė Grušeckienė, adviser of the Centrally Paid Medicines Department of VLK, on the “Ryto Espresso” program of “Žiniai Radio”.
Older and younger people, as before, will be able to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis at their own expense. The price of one vaccine dose in clinics and pharmacies varies around 30 euros.
True, A. Grušeckienė added that in the future other residents could also receive free vaccinations.
“This is just the beginning, the first year,” said the specialist.
The incidence has almost doubled
Specialists are worried that the incidence of tick-borne diseases increased significantly last year. According to the National Public Health Center (NVSC), in 2023 In Lithuania, tick-borne encephalitis was diagnosed in 597 inhabitants.
For comparison, in 2022 377 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were recorded.
A tick bite is the most common way of contracting tick-borne encephalitis. However, the infection can also be transmitted through contaminated goat or cow milk and their products.
“The disease is dangerous. Tick-borne encephalitis affects the brain, its covering or peripheral nerves. It is one of the most serious human viral infections of the central nervous system.
It is characterized by residual phenomena, sometimes causing disability. Both Lithuanian doctors and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize that vaccinations are the most effective means of preventing tick-borne encephalitis,” said Agnė Grušeckienė, adviser of the Centrally Paid Medicines Department of VLK.
There is no specific treatment for tick-borne encephalitis. When a person gets sick, doctors try to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Residual effects of the infection are common: chronic fatigue is common, and some people experience long-term weakness and debilitating headaches even after recovery from tick-borne encephalitis.
The vaccine does not protect against Lyme disease
The most reliable and longest protection is guaranteed by 3 vaccination doses: about 99%. those vaccinated acquire resistance to tick-borne encephalitis for 3-5 years. Usually, there is an interval of 1-3 months between the first and second doses. Immunity develops 2 weeks after the second vaccination. However, a third dose of the vaccine is required after 5 to 12 months. Later, vaccination is required after 3 years to maintain the level of immunity.
“There is also an opportunity to get vaccinated with a rapid scheme. An interval of 2 weeks is maintained between the first and second vaccine doses. The third dose is given after 5-12 months”, said A. Grušeckienė.
It is true that ticks also transmit Lyme disease. Therefore, even after vaccination, these parasites should be avoided.
“It would be necessary to create bad conditions for ticks to survive, but in Lithuania it is very difficult to do this, because the conditions are extremely good – green land, many forests and plantations. They occupy almost a third of our landscape.
But if we have a small area in mind, then first of all we should cut the grass from early spring and not let it grow more than 10 centimeters”, said Milda Žygutienė, head specialist of the Infectious Diseases Management Department of NVSC, to “Žiniai Radio” and added that unnecessary bushes should be removed.
What to take care of when going to nature
What if the tick got sucked in? M. Žygutienė advised to mark the day of its removal in the calendar and to monitor your body more closely for a month. If a person is infected, symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks. If you notice signs of Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
The main symptom of Lyme disease is a red spot at the site of the tick bite, called erythema. However, it may not exist.
M. Žygutienė advised to wear light, closed clothes in nature and to use repellents.
“When walking in nature, choose the right clothes – make sure there are no exposed parts of the body. Avoid ticks not only on your feet, but also on your hands, head, and neck, so don’t forget hats, hooded scarves, and long sleeves.
It is also advised to use repellents, which most importantly are intended for protection not against insects, but specifically against ticks. Only such means have a sufficient concentration of active substances to repel ticks”, says M. Žygutienė.
2024-05-01 21:50:19