Encephalitis/meningoencephalitis after vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

Summary and recommendation

When encephalitis or meningoencephalitis with evidence of acute TBE infection occurs in individuals who have been vaccinated against TBE, an incomplete vaccine cycle or breakthrough infection due to another cause can usually be assumed.

It is possible that full vaccine protection may not develop following incomplete immunisation. In addition - as with other vaccines - full protection against TBE cannot be guaranteed for all vaccinated individuals (Ref. 1).

To achieve optimum vaccine protection, the vaccination recommendations in the current Swiss vaccination plan must be observed (Ref. 2). The product-specific vaccination schedule (basic immunisation and boosters) must be adhered to consistently.

Individual cases of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis with no pathogen detected may occur as an adverse effect of TBE vaccination. These side effects are listed in the information for healthcare professionals for TBE vaccines. In individuals with existing inflammatory CNS diseases, the indication for TBE vaccination must be determined carefully (Ref. 1).