Review of tick-borne encephalitis and vaccines: clinical and economical aspects

Abstract

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) disease is an increasing burden not only locally but also globally. In most endemic countries, vaccination coverage is too low to reduce the TBE burden significantly; however, vaccination is the most effective protection against TBE, with various vaccines currently available. In spite of rising awareness of TBE, little attention is directed toward the health economics of the disease. The purpose of the present review is to compile information on TBE and its explicit clinical and economical aspects. Given the scarcity of studies, the authors conclude that more attention is needed for health economics of TBE. Notably, this would help establish guidance on efficient policies for TBE prevention, reduce disease burden and achieve population health benefits.

Keywords:

• health economics
• tick-borne encephalitis
• vaccination
• vaccines

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the article. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Key issues

• Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a CNS disease that may result in long-term/permanent neurological sequelae, relevant quality-of-life impacts and even death.

• TBE presents an increasing burden not only locally but also globally, ideally to be estimated in disability-adjusted life years.

• Vaccination is the most effective protection against TBE with effective, safe and well-tolerated vaccines being available; however, coverages are still relatively low.

• There is a need for efficient guidance, recommendations and policies for (cost-)effective prevention of TBE to reduce the disease burden.

• Scarce evidence (notably, for Slovenia) illustrates that TBE vaccines can be highly cost–effective.

Notes

¹In the original study [101], costs are expressed in Austrian Schillings (ATS). In the present review, these costs are converted to Euros (€), using the conversion calculator, available from www.unitconversion.org/eu-currency/austrian-schillings-to-euros-conversion.html [Last accessed August 2014].