Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium, while TBE is caused by a virus. While Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, there is no specific treatment for TBE. This can have serious consequences and in some cases even lead to death. The only protection against TBE is the tick vaccination. People who enjoy spending time in nature or who work in nature-related jobs should therefore get vaccinated against TBE. According to the Federal Office of Public Health, over 400 cases of TBE were recorded in 2020, which is a record number and has led, among other things, to almost the whole of Switzerland now being classified by the FOPH as a TBE risk area.

Vaccination process

You can easily get vaccinated against TBE at Dr. Andres Apotheke. You need three vaccinations for this:

1. Vaccination: It is best to get this in winter so that you are protected at the start of the tick season in early summer.
2. Vaccination: This is given about a month after the first vaccination. Vaccination protection of 87% is achieved after the second vaccination.
   
3. Second vaccination: Five to twelve months after the second vaccination. This achieves up to 99% protection, which lasts for ten years.

In addition to the normal vaccination schedule, there is also a fast-track schedule for the beginning of the warm season. With this schedule, the second vaccination follows after just 14 days, and the third vaccination again after 5 to 12 months.

Note: The percentages given for vaccination protection may vary depending on the vaccine manufacturer. To be on the safe side, you can ask at the pharmacy which vaccine is used during vaccination.

Vaccines for tick vaccination

In Swiss pharmacies, Encepur® and FSME-Immun CC® are approved as vaccines. Both contain inactivated TBE viruses and aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. The inactivated vaccines are cultivated on hen's cells. If you are allergic to hen's egg white, you should inform the pharmacist or doctor accordingly.

If you would like a specific vaccine, we recommend that you enquire about it in advance at the Dr. Andres Apotheke Stadelhofen.

Vaccination in the pharmacy is authorised for people aged 16 and over. Vaccinations in the pharmacy may only be carried out if
contraindications such as pregnancy (except for vaccinations based on a doctor's prescription), immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease can be ruled out.
Tip: Bring your vaccination booklet with you so that we can check your vaccination status.