Vaccines require full courses and boosters to provide effective and lasting protection.

An incomplete vaccination schedule can leave individuals vulnerable to serious diseases.

Some causes of encephalitis, including measles and chickenpox are vaccine-preventable.

Real-life stories highlight the long-term impact of preventable brain infections.

One of the most effective tools we have in global health is vaccines. In my work, I have seen firsthand how devastating brain infections can be, not just in the acute phase, but in the months and years that follow.

Prevention is always better than cure, and in many cases of encephalitis, prevention is possible. However, there is a critical point that is often missed: starting a vaccination schedule is not enough. Just as we are advised to complete a full course of antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection, a full vaccine schedule provides full and lasting protection.

Why completing vaccination schedules matters

Vaccines do not usually provide full protection after a single dose. For many diseases, immunity builds over time—through a series of doses and, in some cases, boosters. The first dose begins the process, but subsequent doses strengthen and extend that protection.

We still hear from individuals and families who did not complete their schedules for particular vaccines and who assumed that partial vaccination was sufficient. Unfortunately, that gap in protection can leave individuals vulnerable and pose a risk to the wider community during an outbreak.

This is particularly important when we think about encephalitis. While not all causes are preventable, several are—including measles, Japanese encephalitis, varicella zoster (chickenpox), and tick-borne encephalitis. These are serious conditions that can lead to brain injury, long-term disability, or death.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a clear example. It is present across parts of Europe and Asia, and cases are being reported in new areas. There is a safe and effective vaccine available—but it requires a full course, in some cases boosters, to maintain protection. Missing doses can mean remaining at risk.

The reality of encephalitis is best understood through the experiences of those who have lived it. Gunilla’s story stayed with me, and it powerfully illustrates what is at stake.

A life changed: Gunilla’s story

I woke up in a........

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