Second open day for tick vaccination – South Tyrol News

By: mk

Bolzano – The tick vaccination is the safest method of preventing tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). For this reason, the health service organized a second open day. Protected by the tick vaccination, you can go out into nature without worry and are immune to a serious infection caused by the bite of this small but potentially dangerous arachnid.

The afternoon of Friday (September 20) and the morning of Saturday, September 21, are exclusively reserved for those who were vaccinated with the first dose on July 20. An appointment has been made with these people. If someone has not received a call to make an appointment for the administration of the second dose, they can call the National Single Pre-Registration Point (ELVS) from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 0471/0472/0473/0474, followed by the number 100 100.

Anyone who would like to receive the first dose of the TBE vaccine can come to one of the following locations on September 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. without making a reservation:

– Bolzano, New Clinic (no entrance via the ramp as at the first open day);

– Merano, hospital blood collection point;

– Bressanone, entrance to building C of the hospital (not entrance via the ramp as at the first open day);

– Bruneck, hospital blood collection point.

In all other cases – and also for those who need a booster vaccination after the two doses – it is possible to contact the above-mentioned offices on Saturday, September 21 in the afternoon.

“Tick-borne encephalitis is an infectious disease transmitted by tick bites,” explains Silvia Spertini, managing director of the Hygiene and Public Health Service (SISP) in the South Tyrolean Health Service. “In most cases, these are flu-like symptoms, but a small percentage of cases develop after a period without signs of illness. Symptoms of the central nervous system such as paralysis, which can also persist.” TBE cannot be cured, but vaccination is a preventive measure for people at risk from a tick bite. The vaccination has been free for citizens in South Tyrol since 2018 and consists of 3 doses. The second dose should be 1 to 3 months after the first, the third after a year. Booster vaccinations are required every three to five years.”

“We are inviting the most vulnerable people, i.e. those who spend a lot of time outdoors and those who have already received the first vaccination, to the second open day on 21 September,” adds Ursula Braun, head of the territory’s nursing service in the Bruneck health district. “Even though summer is over quickly, TBE does not go into hibernation and going for a walk in our beautiful forests with one less thought and enjoying it to the fullest is, I think, a wise and worthwhile decision.” Why not take advantage of that?”

Luca Armanaschi, administrative director of the South Tyrolean health service, is also convinced of the initiative and supports the open day. He praises everyone who made it possible: “A big thank you goes to all the employees who made this second open day for vaccinations possible with their professionalism and commitment. The logistics of such an initiative are not easy, but thanks to the cooperation between the various departments and precise planning, we are able to offer the service easily and comprehensively. The TBE vaccination is a safe preventive measure and we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated easily and quickly. It is this type of cooperation that enables us to protect the health of our population.”