Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine rate falling this summer
Estonia is experiencing an exceptionally high number of ticks this year, but vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis has dropped significantly, with only about half as many people vaccinated in the first two quarters compared to last year.
This year, Estonia has seen an unusually high number of ticks, yet interest in vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis has declined. Last winter's thick snow cover and wet spring created especially favorable conditions for ticks, making extra caution necessary.
Maria Vikentjeva, chief specialist at the Health Board's infectious disease epidemiology department, noted a decrease compared to last year. Over the first two quarters, about half as many people have been vaccinated. However, revaccination rates remain at the same high level.
Marit Märk of the emergency medicine department at the North Estonia Medical Centre (PERH) said people have become overly reliant on healthcare services and go to specialists to have ticks removed. If bitten by a tick, there is no need to go to the emergency department. A tick can be removed at home using fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick removal tool available at pharmacies.
Last year, PERH's emergency department received 200 visits due to tick bites. Family doctor Jelizaveta Kaledina advised that people should only contact their family doctor if a rash develops around the bite area and continues to expand. If a small part of the tick remains in the skin, it is not dangerous.
