The motto of the open days organised by the South Tyrolean Medical Company was to vaccinate as many people as possible against TBE quickly and easily. The initiative was very well received by the population, with around 2,500 people taking advantage of the opportunity to be vaccinated against ticks.
Tick vaccination: thousands injected – Photo: South Tyrol Health Company
Yesterday, Saturday, the South Tyrol Medical Company invited people to get vaccinated free of charge against tick-borne encephalitis. All interested citizens were able to get vaccinated from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the hospitals in Bolzano, Meran, Brixen and Bruneck without prior registration.
Interest in tick vaccination was pleasantly high, with a total of 2,458 people following the call, according to the South Tyrolean medical company. In the Bolzano health region, the thousand mark was exceeded with 1,038 vaccination doses, in Merano there were a total of 550 doses, in Bruneck 522 vaccinations and in Brixen, at least 348 people followed the vaccination call.
SABES Director General: “There is a great need for protection”
Managing Director Christian Kofler is very pleased with the success of the vaccination day: “There is a great need among the people of South Tyrol to protect themselves against tick-borne encephalitis. Due to the great demand, we prepared this special vaccination offer within a few days. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the staff in the four health districts whose great commitment contributed to the great success of the open days.
The second injection follows in September.
“Most of the people who took advantage of the open day were vaccinated against ticks for the first time,” said Silvia Spertini, the company’s vice president of hygiene and public health. “We vaccinated mostly adults, but also some children. Those who were vaccinated for the first time today can get a second booster vaccination at the next open day in September.
The importance of effective protection is demonstrated by the fact that in the past year alone, seven cases of tick-borne encephalitis were reported in South Tyrol. This is an acute viral disease of the central nervous system and can be fatal.
Next open day in September
The South Tyrolean Medical Company is offering another open day for tick vaccinations on September 21st this year. After that, it is again possible to get your first tick vaccination or to update your vaccination protection free of charge and without prior registration.
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