Pihlajanlinna tick bus. Photo: Pihjalanlinna
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Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) infections are on the rise in Finland, with 2024 marking a new record for reported cases, according to health experts.
The National Infectious Diseases Register recorded 198 TBE cases last year, surpassing the previous record of 194 in 2023. Specialists from Pihlajalinna’s mobile vaccination unit, Punkkibussi, are urging early action to ensure protection before the summer.
“TBE cases are increasing year after year due to the growing tick population. Climate change is helping ticks to thrive, and TBE is a virus that, through a tick bite, can cause serious conditions such as encephalitis and severe neurological symptoms,” said Sami Salminen, Chief Physician of Pihlajalinna’s Western Finland clinics and Punkkibussi.
Ticks are now found across almost the entire country, reaching as far as southern Lapland. A mild winter has further allowed ticks to remain active whenever temperatures stayed above five degrees Celsius.
“If winter conditions stay mild, ticks can remain active all year. This spring and summer, we are likely to see an increase in their numbers, raising the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases,” Salminen added.
Vaccination strongly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts
Health professionals recommend the TBE vaccine for anyone spending time in regions where the disease is present, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, berry picking, golfing, or dog walking.
Full protection requires a three-dose vaccination series. Ideally, vaccination should begin in the spring to ensure two doses are received before summer. The second dose should follow one to three months after the first, and the third between five and twelve months after the second.
“Three doses do not provide lifelong protection. Booster shots are needed every three to five years, depending on the recipient’s age. An incomplete vaccination series does not offer protection against infection,” said Kaisa Härkönen, Service Director at Punkkibussi.
Härkönen noted that common questions concern interrupted vaccination schedules.
“The most common worry is about a delayed or incomplete vaccine series. There is no need to start over. The body remembers the doses already received, and the series can be continued where it was left off,” she explained.
This summer, Pihlajalinna’s Punkkibussi will again travel around Finland, offering easy access to vaccinations. People can visit the mobile unit without an appointment, prescription, or prior doctor’s visit. Specialised nurses will assist in choosing the right vaccine.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
