You may need the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine if you’re planning to hike, camp or work outdoors in forested areas of Europe or Asia between spring and autumn. Understanding where the infection is found and how you’ll be travelling can help you decide whether vaccination is right for you.
What Is the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine?
It is an inactivated injection that protects against a viral infection spread mainly through tick bites, prompting your immune system to build antibodies against the TBE virus. Brands used in the UK include Ticovac and Encepur, given privately through a pharmacist, GP or travel clinic, as it is not available on the NHS.
What Are the Symptoms of Tick-Borne Encephalitis?
Most people with a TBE infection have no symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they often come in two stages. The first is usually flu-like, with fever, tiredness, headache, aches and feeling sick, often starting around a week after the bite. In fewer cases, the infection can spread to the brain, causing a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, seizures or weakness. These symptoms need urgent medical attention.
Who Needs the TBE Vaccine?
You may be advised to have the TBE vaccine if your plans involve spending time outdoors where infected ticks are found. It may be particularly worth considering if you are:
- Walking, hiking or camping in forests, grassland or woodland.
- Visiting Central, Eastern or Northern Europe, Russia or parts of China and Japan.
- Travelling between April and November, when ticks are most active.
- Working in forestry, farming or fieldwork in risk areas.
Benefits of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination
The main benefit of vaccination is protection against an infection that can cause serious illness and has no specific antiviral treatment. It can also offer:
- A lower risk of developing mild or severe forms of the disease.
- The option to have it alongside other travel vaccines during the same visit.
- Flexible dosing depending on your travel plans and how long you need protection.
How the TBE Vaccination Course Works
The full course usually involves two or three doses, depending on how much protection you need and how soon you’re travelling.
Vaccination Schedule
Two doses at least two weeks apart usually give short-term protection, with the first dose ideally given a month before travel. A third dose, given months later, extends protection for years, with boosters every three to five years if you remain at risk.
Possible Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and tend to settle within a day or two. You may notice soreness where the injection was given, tiredness, a headache or nausea.
Book Your Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine at Townsend Pharmacy
If you’re travelling to an area where TBE is a risk, it’s worth arranging your vaccination well before you leave. Townsend Pharmacy’s travel clinic offers the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine with advice on the right timing and dosing for your trip. Book your appointment online to get your travel vaccinations organised before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine available on the NHS?
No, the TBE vaccine is not routinely available on the NHS. It is provided privately through pharmacies, GPs and travel clinics, including Townsend Pharmacy.
How many doses of the TBE vaccine do I need?
Most travellers need at least two doses, given a minimum of two weeks apart, with the first dose ideally a month before travel. A third dose extends protection for longer stays or repeat travel.
What are the early symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis?
Early symptoms are often flu-like, including fever, tiredness, headache, aches and feeling sick, usually appearing about a week after a tick bite.
Who needs the TBE vaccine most?
Travellers hiking, camping or working outdoors in forested or rural parts of Europe and Asia between April and November are most commonly advised to have it.
How long does the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine protect me for?
The primary course protects for around a year. With a third dose, protection can last several years, with boosters recommended every three to five years if you remain at risk.
When should I book my TBE vaccination before travelling?
Book at least four to six weeks before departure, since the course needs time between doses and a period for immunity to develop.