Travel vaccine

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral brain infection spread by tick bites in forested parts of Europe and Asia. A course of vaccine is recommended for walkers, campers and others spending time outdoors in risk areas during the tick season.

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Key facts

Who it's for

Walkers, campers and outdoor travellers to forested risk areas in spring–autumn

Vaccination course

3 doses for long-term cover; accelerated 2-dose start available

Minimum age

From 1 year

Protection

Good cover after 2 doses; a 3rd dose and boosters extend it (around every 3 years)

When it's a risk

Mainly spring to autumn, when ticks are active

How it spreads

Tick bites (rarely unpasteurised dairy)

Overview

Tick-borne encephalitis is caused by a virus passed to people through the bite of an infected tick, usually picked up in forests, grassland and woodland edges. Less commonly it can be caught by drinking unpasteurised milk or dairy products from infected animals. It cannot be passed from person to person.

Many infections are mild or cause no symptoms, but some lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can be serious and occasionally cause lasting effects. There is no specific treatment, so avoiding tick bites and — for those at higher risk — vaccination are the best protection.

Risk areas

TBE is found in forested parts of central, eastern and northern Europe, including countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Baltic States, Poland, the Czech Republic and Scandinavia, as well as Russia and parts of east Asia, including northern China and Japan. Risk is greatest in rural and forested areas at lower altitudes during the warmer months.

Risk for travellers

The risk rises with time spent outdoors in affected areas during the tick season — for example hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing, or working in forestry or farming. Vaccination is recommended for travellers planning these kinds of activities in risk areas, particularly those staying for longer periods or visiting repeatedly, alongside careful tick-bite avoidance.

Signs & symptoms

Often no symptoms, or a mild flu-like illness at first
Fever, headache and tiredness
Muscle aches
In some cases a second phase with high fever
Neck stiffness, confusion or sensitivity to light if the brain is affected
Problems with movement or coordination in severe cases

Vaccine details

The TBE vaccine is an inactivated (non-live) vaccine given as a course of injections. Two doses give good protection for a season, and a third dose extends it for longer, with boosters roughly every three years if you remain at risk. An accelerated schedule can be used when time is short. We'll plan the schedule around your travel and activities at your appointment.

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Who should have the TBE vaccine?

Vaccination is recommended for travellers whose plans involve time outdoors in risk areas during the tick season. It's worth considering if you are:

Hiking, camping, cycling or trekking in forested or rural areas of Europe or Asia
Working in forestry, farming or fieldwork in a risk area
Staying for a longer period, or travelling repeatedly during spring to autumn
Likely to be off the beaten track where ticks are common

The vaccination course

The primary course is three doses. Two doses give good protection for a season, and the third extends it longer-term; boosters are then given around every three years if you remain at risk.

When time before travel is short, an accelerated schedule can bring the first two doses closer together. We'll confirm the schedule that suits your travel dates at your appointment.

Possible side effects

Side effects are usually mild and short-lived:

Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
Headache, tiredness or muscle aches
A mildly raised temperature, more common after the first dose
Serious reactions are uncommon

Beyond the vaccine: avoiding tick bites

Vaccination is the main protection, but avoiding bites also guards against other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, which has no vaccine:

Wear long sleeves and trousers, and tuck trousers into socks in tick habitats
Use an insect repellent effective against ticks on skin and clothing
Check your skin (and children's) for ticks at the end of each day
Remove any tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, and avoid unpasteurised dairy in risk areas

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