Tick-Borne Encephalitis Prevention: Flexible Vaccination with Encepur for Adults

In a recent review article published in Medicína 39plus, doc. MUDr. Jiří Slíva, Ph.D., MBA, from the Institute of Pharmacology at the Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, looks at the current situation of tick-borne encephalitis in the Czech Republic and explains the role of vaccination in prevention. The article also focuses on the practical advantages of Encepur for Adults, particularly its flexible vaccination schedules.

Tick-borne encephalitis continues to be an important health concern in the Czech Republic. More than 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded between 2010 and 2025, and infected ticks can now be found across essentially all regions of the country. Their presence is also gradually expanding into areas at higher altitudes.

The risk is especially relevant for adults who spend time outdoors, whether hiking, gardening, mushroom picking or simply enjoying nature. People between 40 and 69 years of age are among the most frequently affected groups, and the risk of a severe course of the disease increases with age. Because there is no specific antiviral treatment for tick-borne encephalitis, vaccination remains the most important form of specific prevention.

Vaccination that can adapt to the patient

One of the practical advantages of Encepur for Adults is the possibility to choose between several vaccination schedules depending on how quickly protection is needed. The vaccine is intended for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age.

Alongside the standard and rapid schedules, Encepur offers an express schedule with doses on days 0, 7 and 21. This makes it possible to complete the primary vaccination course within three weeks, which can be particularly useful for people who decide to get vaccinated shortly before travelling, spending more time outdoors or during an already active tick season.

Protection is then maintained through booster doses. The timing depends on the vaccination schedule and age of the patient, with longer booster intervals possible for younger adults and shorter intervals recommended for older age groups. Encepur can also be used as a booster in people who were previously vaccinated with another registered tick-borne encephalitis vaccine.

Prevention is relevant throughout the year

The article also points out that tick activity is becoming less limited to the traditional spring and summer season. Milder winters and changing climatic conditions mean that prevention should increasingly be considered throughout the year rather than only before the start of the season.

For healthcare professionals and patients alike, this makes flexibility particularly valuable. Being able to choose a vaccination schedule that fits the individual situation can make it easier to start and complete vaccination at the right time.

Biodrug is a proud partner of Bavarian Nordic, the manufacturer of Encepur, for the Czech Republic. Through this cooperation, we support the availability of Encepur on the Czech market and help make effective prevention against tick-borne encephalitis more accessible.

For those who would like to explore the topic in more detail, the full original article by doc. MUDr. Jiří Slíva, Ph.D., MBA is attached below. Please note that the original publication is in Czech Slíva_Encepur.pdf

Source: Jiří Slíva. Encepur for Adults: Flexible Vaccination Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis for Current Clinical Practice. Medicína 39plus, Issue 2/2026. Original publication in Czech. Illustration: AI-generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) for illustrative purposes only.