Persistence of protective immunity following vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis--longer than expected?

Vaccine. 2004 Jul 29;22(21-22):2743-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.01.041.

Abstract

A descriptive evaluation of protective immunity was performed on subjects with a complete primary tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) immunization (and additional regular boosters) more than 3 years after primary or booster TBE immunization, as measured by neutralization test and two different ELISA systems. The study population (n = 430) was stratified for age (i.e., 18-49 or 50 years of age) and for the number of years since last TBE vaccination. GMTs (NT) of all subgroups (at the time of the present evaluation) were above detection limit: 144 and 44 for the 18-49- and 50-year-old subjects, respectively. One percent of subjects aged 18-49 years, and 6% of subjects aged 50 years were ELISA-negative. A detailed sub analysis revealed that subjects with either low NT and/or negative to borderline ELISA test results are usually older and constitute a higher number of subjects without any TBE booster vaccination compared to the respective test-positive subject group. From the fourth year (exceeding 3 years after last vaccination) titers show a decline rate of 6-7%. This study indicates that after multiple TBE (booster) immunizations protection surpasses the currently advised TBE booster interval of 3 years, thus supporting reconsideration of the recommendations for booster intervals.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / immunology*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / immunology*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Regression Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Vaccines