title: A campaign to increase the vaccination rate in a highly endemic tick-borne encephalitis region of Slovenia.
abstract: Slovenia is one of the countries with the highest incidence of thick-borne encephalitis (TBE) (13.5/100,000) and has one of the lowest immunisation rates (3.1%). Gorenjska (approximately 10% Slovene inhabitants) is a region of Slovenia with the highest incidence (30/100,000). The Institute of Public Health Kranj in collaboration with Lions club Brnik and mayors of the municipalities initiated a campaign aimed to improve the vaccination rate. By obtaining funds that covered the expenses for the vaccination team we managed to reduce the price of vaccination by 30%. The vaccination events were held on Saturdays in primary schools of the towns/villages with the highest TBE incidence. Over the course of the 12 events, 5599 doses were injected. Most of people (92%) were vaccinated for the first time with two doses. In addition, we offered free-of-charge vaccinations for 850 children from socially underprivileged families. The charity project added a significant increase to the number of protected persons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health Kranj, Gosposvetska 12, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia. irena.grmek-kosnik@zzv-kr.si
authors.forename: Irena Grmek
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Košnik
authors.forename: Andreja Krt
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014765:Viral Vaccines