Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccination

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that affects the brain and spinal cord, caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus. TBE is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, which can be found in wooded, brushy, and marshy areas. It can also be contracted by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals.

TBE is prevalent in Europe and Asia, particularly in rural areas, and is most common during the spring and summer months when ticks are most active.

Getting vaccinated for tick-borne encephalitis is important because it can help protect against infection from the virus. The disease can cause severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms, such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and spinal cord (meningitis), as well as fever, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Vaccination can provide immunity to the virus and can also reduce the severity of symptoms if a person does become infected.

No need to book to see your GP. Our qualified travel health specialists can advise and prescribe Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccinations providing a fast and convenient service in the Bristol, Cheltenham & Gloucester areas.

Vaccination	Price per dose	Price per course (2 or 3 doses)
Tick-borne Encephalitis	£67	£134 / £201

Book a Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccination

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent tick-borne encephalitis (TBE):

Avoid tick-infested areas: Ticks are commonly found in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas, so it is best to avoid these areas when possible or to take precautions if you must enter them.

Wear protective clothing: When spending time in tick-infested areas, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to help keep ticks off your skin. Tuck your trouser legs into your socks to make it harder for ticks to climb up your legs.

Use insect repellent: Applying insect repellent containing DEET to your skin and clothes can help keep ticks away.

Check for ticks: After spending time outdoors, check your body for ticks, including your hair, under your arms, and behind your ears. Be sure to check any pets that have been with you, too.

Vaccination: Getting vaccinated for TBE can help protect against infection from the virus.

Treat your clothes and gear with permethrin: Permethrin is an insecticide that can be used to treat clothing, gear, and even tents before going out in tick-infested areas.

It is important to note that even with these preventive measures, it is still possible to be bitten by a tick, so it is important to be vigilant and check for ticks frequently.

Countries at risk

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is found in several countries in Europe, Asia and North America.

In Europe, TBE is found in several countries including:

Austria

Croatia

Czech Republic

Germany

Hungary

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Sweden

In Asia, TBE is found in several countries including:

China

Japan

South Korea

Taiwan

In North America, TBE is found in Canada and the United States.

It's important to note that the distribution and risk of TBE may vary depending on specific regions within these countries.

Sign and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can vary depending on the stage of the infection. There are three stages of TBE:

The first stage, also known as the febrile stage, usually occurs within 1-2 weeks after a tick bite. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea.

The second stage, also known as the meningeal stage, occurs within 2-28 days after the onset of the febrile stage. Symptoms may include neck stiffness, confusion, sensitivity to light, and sometimes a rash.

The third stage, also known as the neurological stage, occurs within 1-2 months after the onset of the meningeal stage. Symptoms may include difficulty walking, poor coordination, weakness, and sometimes seizures or changes in vision or hearing.

It's important to note that some people may not experience any symptoms during the first stage of the infection and that not everyone will progress to the second and third stage.