Self-reported tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccination coverage in Europe: Results from a cross-sectional study.
Adequate vaccination is effective in preventing tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). A population survey conducted in 2015 in Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden obtained information on TBE vaccination. Respondents answered 10 questions for themselves and household members. Data were weighted according to age and fine-tuned for geographical spread. Across the 10 countries (excluding Poland), TBE awareness was 83%; of all respondents, 68% were aware of TBE vaccines and 25% had ≥1 injections. Vaccination rates were lowest in Finland and Slovakia (∼10%), highest in Austria (85%, results from a separate 2015 survey), and varied widely in Germany. Across the 11 countries (excluding Austria), compliance with vaccination schedule among TBE-vaccinated respondents was 61%; 27% and 15% of respondents received first and second booster injections; strongest motivators for vaccination were fear of TBE (38%) and residence/spending time in high-risk areas (31-35%); main reasons for not receiving vaccination were beliefs that vaccination was unnecessary (33%) and that there was no risk of contracting TBE (23%). TBE vaccine uptake and compliance could be improved with effective public health information to increase TBE awareness and trust in vaccination and by updating recommendations to include all subjects visiting TBE-risk areas.
['Erber|Wilhelm|W|', 'Schmitt|Heinz-Josef|HJ|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne D005060:Europe D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011159:Population Surveillance D057566:Self Report D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014611:Vaccination D000073887:Vaccination Coverage D014765:Viral Vaccines D055815:Young Adult
Tick-borne encephalitis Vaccination coverage Vaccines Population survey TBE vaccines