Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging viral zoonosis and is endemic from Japan, China, Mongolia and Russia, to Central Europe and France. There is no specific treatment and TBE can be fatal. The four licensed prophylactic vaccines are produced according to WHO manufacturing requirements. Large clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance demonstrated safety and efficacy of the two European vaccines. The two Russian vaccines showed their effectiveness in daily use, but limited published data are available on controlled clinical trials. Vaccination recommendations in endemic areas vary significantly. In some countries, public vaccination programs are implemented. The WHO has recently issued recommendations on evidence-based use of TBE vaccines. However, more data are needed regarding safety, efficacy and long-term protection after vaccination.
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The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the decisions, policy or views of the WHO.
Acknowledgements
This manuscript is based on the background document given in Citation[202]. The manuscript was produced by H Kollaritsch for the development of the WHO position paper on TBE immunization. This work was assisted by an ad hoc working group that assembled and reviewed the data and was composed of the following experts: A Barrett, H Holzmann, J Suess, G Karganova, H Kollaritsch and I Krasilnikov. Their invaluable contributions are kindly acknowledged.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
H Kollaritsch received research grants, fees for giving lectures, as well as support for attending advisory boards and international conferences from Baxter and Novartis. M Paulke-Korinek has received fees for speaking and support for attending international conferences from Novartis. J Hombach is a staff member of the WHO. The authors have no other 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 manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.