Encepur vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis

Encepur vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis

Encepur vaccine is a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. This is a single dose inactivated tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine. This chick embryo cell derived vaccine is prepared from strain.

How is Encepur vaccine available?

Encepur vaccine is available as ready to inject liquid form. It is available as 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe. It is also available in 0.5 ml pre filled syringe packet. The vaccine looks hazy and becomes homogenous when shaken. The sterile needle for injection may be available in the packet itself.

How is Encepur vaccine stored?

Encepur vaccine is stored at 2-8 degree Celsius. The temperature range is maintained as per standard cold chain. The temperature range is maintained at all stages of transport and storage. The vaccine if accidentally frozen should be discarded. The vaccine that has passed expiry date should not be used and discarded with all bio-medical waste management protocol taken care.

To whom Encepur vaccine is indicated?

• This vaccine is given to those people who are staying in endemic areas of the tick-borne encephalitis. 
• It is also given to people who are going to visit the endemic areas.
• Those who are below 15 years should get this vaccine on priority basis.
• This vaccine can be given to those who are going to visit the endemic areas.

How is Encepur vaccine given?

This vaccine is given by injection on shoulder in deltoid muscle. All the necessary safety injection precautions should be taken and the disposables are disposed as per biological waste management protocol. The expired vaccine should be discarded as per BMW protocols. The vaccine should be given intramuscular it should not be given intravenous.

At what age Encepur vaccine is given?

• This is given to those in endemic area in routine immunization at above age 12 years
• The second injection will be given 1 to 3 months later. It can be given two weeks after the first dose if you need urgent protection.
• The third injection will be given 8 to 12 months after the second injection.
• This vaccine is suggested for those who are going to visit endemic area.
• It is best to have the first and second doses in the winter. This is because the tick starts being active in spring. This allows you to develop enough protection before the tick season starts.
• The third dose completes the primary course of injections. The vaccination schedule should ideally be completed with the third vaccination within the same tick season or at the least before the start of the following tick season.
• It gives protection for up to three years.
• The first booster dose should be given no more than 3 years after the third dose. Further booster doses should be given every 5 years. If you leave too much time between the 3 doses, you may not have full protection against infection.

How does Encepur vaccine works?

This vaccine works as active immunization. The person to whom the vaccine is given gets antigen of tick-borne encephalitis. These are killed virus derived antigens. The immune system of the person recognizes these antigens and develops the immune mechanism to fight against it. When the real infection occur the immune system rapidly ramps the immune response and the disease is prevented. In the process the memory immunity is produced which lasts longer. Yet the need of boosters is undetermined it is unknown how many years this immunity lasts.

What are side effects of Encepur vaccine?

The side effects of tick-borne encephalitis vaccine are usually mild as compared to disease. They can be easily managed at home.

• Fever may occur after vaccination and can last for 1-3 days. It can be moderate grade fever. It can be easily managed by paracetamol and sponging at home.
• Local pain and swelling can occur after the vaccination. This can last for 3 days and can be reduced by paracetamol and local cold compression.
• Decreased appetite, somnolence and rash may occur after the vaccination in few children. It usually subsides by its own and is generally mild form.
• Hypersensitivity reaction may occur after this vaccination like any other injection. The facility where vaccination is done should be equipped with necessary drugs and personnel with skill to manage the anaphylaxis reaction.
• Headaches
• Feeling tired or unwell
• Restlessness and poor sleep (in younger children)
• Muscle pains

To whom Encepur vaccine should not be given?

This vaccine should not be given to person who is allergic to any of its components. This vaccine should not be given to those who had got hypersensitivity reaction and anaphylaxis at first dose.

There are very few contraindications to this vaccine.

• People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the JE vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine

• Have serious allergies of any kind

• If the subject is are pregnant. Pregnancy is contraindication but cautious decision should be taken considering risk to benefit factor.

Those who have got Japanese encephalitis or dengue vaccine may already have antibody to tick-borne encephalitis. The decision to vaccinate should depend upon the antibody level test prior to vaccination.

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