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Information on FSME for occupational risk groups for Wageningen University and Research
About Us
Vaccinatiecentrum.nl is a travel clinic, founded by Marchel Ratering. We are a modern and dynamic organization that is progressive in the field of travel and health advice. Thanks to our expertise and experience, travelers can come to us with all questions; before, during and after the trip. We are a registered yellow fever center, affiliated with the LCR (National Coordination Center for Traveler Advice) and ISO 9001:2015 certified. Our organization is characterized by expertise and personal attention. We achieve this by working with a small and close-knit team of nurses, telephone operators, (quality) manager and our ultimately responsible doctor.
Vaccinatiecentrum.nl has a partnership with the University of Wageningen and provides the FSME vaccination series for your education.
FSME Tick-borne Encephalitis
Make an appointment for an FSME vaccination via the button below.
Location: Plantage 8, 6708 WJ Wageningen
You will be offered an FSME vaccination through your study program. This vaccination is offered because you have chosen a (future) profession or school subject where you run a higher risk of infection with the FSME virus. Because you run extra risk in your (future) profession or school subject, taking the FSME vaccination is strongly recommended.
The FSME vaccination is offered by your study program and is free of charge.
Further on this page you will find more information about the FSME vaccination. If you still have questions after reading the information, please check the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) at the bottom of the page. If you have a question that is not covered in the FAQ, you can always email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call us on: 085 902 03 03 (available Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 16:00).
NB!
Even if you have already had one or more FSME vaccinations, we ask you to always come by during the first vaccination day. Maybe you still have to complete the basic series or you need a booster vaccination. Complete the health declaration and take the vaccination certificate with you to your appointment. Based on this, we will assess what the next steps are.
FSME
What is FSME?
Tick-borne encephalitis, also known as FSME or TBE, is caused by a virus that is transmitted by a tick. The virus can cause severe meningitis.
The severity and duration of symptoms can vary from person to person. Two thirds of the people who contract FSME/TBE have no or only mild complaints. One third of the people do get serious complaints in which the disease develops in two phases. The first phase occurs 2 to 28 days after the bite and gives a mild clinical symptoms. Symptoms are: malaise, (mild) fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. In some of the people in phase 1, the virus can progress to the second phase. After 1 to 21 days without complaints, complaints can arise again. In this phase, the central nervous system is affected. Encephalitis, meningitis or spinal cord inflammation can then occur. In that case, hospitalization is necessary.
Men and persons over the age of 50 have an increased risk of a serious course of the disease. In addition, ticks transmit several other viruses. You may contract multiple infections from one tick bite, such as Lyme disease and FSME. In that case, FSME can be more serious.
How do you get FSME?
The virus that causes tick-borne encephalitis is transmitted by ticks. A person can become infected if he or she is bitten by a tick that carries the virus. Any activity in nature carries the risk of a tick bite. The risk is greatest during activities between trees, in bushes or grass. Activities that fall under this include hiking, cycling, camping and picnicking. In the Netherlands, ticks carrying the tick-borne encephalitis virus are very rare. There are parts of Europe and Asia where the risk of tick-borne encephalitis is so great that it is recommended to have a preventive vaccination. We do see that the area with TBE is shifting towards the Netherlands. So it will become more and more common.
How does the vaccination work?
The vaccination series against FSME consists of 3 vaccinations. All vaccinations take place at our location on the university campus. You will receive the second vaccination one month after the first vaccination and the third vaccination will follow 6 months after the first vaccination.
After the basic series of 3 vaccinations you are protected for 3 years. When this protection expires, a booster vaccination can be given. A booster vaccination after a full series protects for 5 years.
Are you over 60 years old? Then the booster vaccination only protects for 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vaccinations are not mandatory, but we strongly recommend that you get vaccinated against FSME. You run an increased risk of contracting FSME during your studies and at your future workplace.
All students are urged to come for the vaccination. If you don’t come but you get the vaccination on another day at one of our locations, you pay €18.95 in administration costs. In exceptional situations, we can eliminate the administration costs in consultation.
If you choose not to get vaccinated, please send an email to info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
Can you only schedule for the vaccination when you have a class? Please contact us by phone at 085-9020303 so you can be vaccinated at another time.
We advise all students to come by. Maybe you need another vaccination to continue the series or you need a booster vaccination.
Complete the health declaration and take the vaccination certificate with you to your appointment. Based on this, we will assess what the next steps are.
We advise all students to come by. Maybe you need another vaccination to continue the series or you need a booster vaccination.
Complete the health declaration and take the vaccination certificate with you to your appointment. Based on this, we will assess what the next steps are.
FSME is a series of 3 vaccinations, given at month 0-1-6. Sometimes the schedule may differ slightly.
After the basic series of 3 vaccinations you are protected for 3 years. When this protection expires, a booster vaccination can be given. A booster vaccination after a full series protects for 5 years.
Are you over 60 years old? Then the booster vaccination only protects for 3 years.
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccination can cause mild side effects. For example, the injection site may be painful, red, or swollen. Some people experience headache, muscle aches, fever, swollen lymph nodes and nausea after vaccination.
The FSME vaccination is paid for by your education. If you do not come to the vaccination moment at our location but make an appointment in our normal consultation hour, you pay an administration fee of € 18.95. You have to pay these costs directly by PIN.
No, this is not necessary if you are 16 years or older.
We only work with experienced nurses who can reassure you. There is no need to bring someone with you. It is important that you indicate this. You can indicate this on the Health Declaration. To reduce pain during injections, we have several tools available;
- The Buzzy®: This is a little ladybug that vibrates and has cold pads in the shape of wings. Thanks to its vibrating and skin-cooling effect, the Buzzy provides distraction and a proven pain-relieving effect during injections. The Buzzy is placed on the injection site before the injection and remains between the injection site and the brain throughout the process (“between the pain and the brain”). The buzzing and vibrating of the Buzzy disrupts the nerves in that area, so the sharp pain is not felt. A sensation of touch may still be present, but the pain of the injection is no longer experienced.
- The Shotblocker: This is a little plastic disc with small nubs that is placed around the injection site and pressed firmly against the skin. The small bumps on the Shotblocker activate the nerve fibers in the injection zone. This temporarily masks the pain signals, allowing the signals from the injection to be muted and perceived as less painful.
We have had many positive experiences with both pain relief tools and use them for all types of injections, for both children and adults.