Ticovac
Ticovac is a vaccine that can help lower the risk of getting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). It's given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider to people who are 1 year of age and older. You need to get 3 doses over at least 6 months to finish the primary series, and then you can get a booster shot at least 3 years later. Some common side effects include pain at the injection site and headache.
What is Ticovac?
What is Ticovac used for?
Prevention of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
How Ticovac works
Ticovac is an inactivated vaccine (made from a dead virus). It helps protect you from the TBE virus that can cause a condition known as TBE. The vaccine helps your body's immune system make proteins called antibodies against the virus. These antibodies will attack the virus if it ever infects your body.
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What are the side effects of Ticovac?
Common Side Effects
- Tenderness at injection site (18%)
- Pain at injection site (11%)
- Headache (11%)
- Fever (10%)
- Restlessness (9%)
- Tenderness at injection site (30%)
- Pain at injection site (13%)
- Feeling tired (7%)
- Headache (6%)
- Muscle pain (5%)
Other Side Effects
- Joint pain
- Feeling unwell
- Nausea
- Low appetite
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: rash; dizziness; shortness of breath; chest pain; swelling in the throat, lips, tongue, or face
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Restlessness
Pros and cons of Ticovac
Pros
The only vaccine available in the United States to prevent TBE
Can be given to children as young as 1 year old
Not made with natural rubber latex, so people with latex allergies are safe to get the vaccine
Cons
Takes a long time to get fully vaccinated or complete the primary series (at least 6 months)
Must be given by a healthcare provider as an injection into the muscle
Available as brand-name only
Pharmacist tips for Ticovac
If you're traveling, check whether getting vaccinated with Ticovac is recommended for your destination. If you need to get vaccinated, find a provider near you who can offer Ticovac.
Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before getting any vaccines, including Ticovac. This helps make sure you're getting all your vaccines on time.
Scheduling vaccinations can be confusing so ask your provider or pharmacist to help you plan out when to get each Ticovac dose. Then, mark the dates on your calendar so you receive all your doses and finish the primary series on time. You need all three doses for this vaccine to work well, and it will take at least 6 months to finish the primary series.
Don't get Ticovac if you're very sick. Wait until you recover first. But if you're sick with only mild symptoms, such as the common cold or a low-grade fever, you can still get vaccinated. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether or not you need to wait to get the vaccine.
If you experience a severe reaction to Ticovac, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) by visiting their website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Frequently asked questions about Ticovac
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What are the risks and warnings for Ticovac?
Ticovac can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have an allergic reaction to Ticovac. Your provider might ask you to stay at the clinic or office for a short period of time after you've been vaccinated to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction.
Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, or chest pain.
Decreased response to Ticovac in people with a weakened immune system
Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Ticovac might not work as well in people with a weakened immune system. This can put you at higher risk for TBE, even after you've been vaccinated. Talk to your provider first before getting Ticovac if you have any medical conditions (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications).
Might not prevent TBE so need to take additional precautions
Just like all vaccines, Ticovac doesn't guarantee that you won't get infected with the TBE virus. For the best protection against TBE, you should get Ticovac as well as take all necessary precautions to avoid getting bit from an infected tick. A few ways include using insect repellent (e.g., those that contain DEET) and treat clothing with permethrin 0.5%. Additionally, check your body and clothes for ticks during and after outdoor activities. To avoid TBE from dairy products, don't eat or drink raw milk and cheese from goats, sheep, or cows in affected areas.
Risk of infection
Ticovac contains a small amount of albumin (a protein) that's sourced from human blood products. Because of this, there's a risk that the vaccine might contain viruses that can be transferred to you and make you sick.
However, your risk of infection is very low because the donors of these blood products are screened. Also, there are high manufacturing standards put into place to make sure the viruses are killed or removed.
To prevent serious infections in the rare case that your vaccine is affected, let your provider know right away if you start to feel sick, have symptoms such as feeling confused and anxious, or have trouble maintaining your balance.
Ticovac dosage forms
Typical dosing for Ticovac
Primary series (for people who haven't been vaccinated) - total of 3 doses
Ages 1 to 15 years: The typical dose is 1 injection (0.25 mL) into the muscle. After the first dose, your child will need to get a second dose 1 to 3 months later. Then, the third dose will be 5 to 12 months after the second dose.
Age 16 years and older: The typical dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) into the muscle. After your first dose, get your second dose 14 days to 3 months later. Then, your third dose will be 5 to 12 months after the second dose.
Booster dose
If you expect you'll have ongoing exposure or re-exposure to the TBE virus, you can get a booster dose (fourth dose) at least 3 years after finishing the primary series. Ask your provider if you need a booster dose.
How much does Ticovac cost?
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References
Best studies we foundCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Mosquitoes: How to use permethrin.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccines when your child is sick.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): Symptoms, diagnosis, & treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Travelers' health: Destinations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Travelers' health: Tick-borne encephalitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): Geographic distribution.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): Vaccine.
Pfizer Laboratories div Pfizer Inc. (2023). Ticovac- tick-borne encephalitis vaccine injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Pfizer Laboratories div Pfizer Inc. (2023). Ticovac [package insert]. DailyMed.
World Health Organization. (2020). How do vaccines work?
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