Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that is prevalent in numerous European countries. If you intend to reside in an area with a high prevalence of infected ticks, getting a TBE vaccination is the most secure method to prevent infection. This precaution is especially important if you plan to spend a considerable amount of time outdoors.
Prices
Price per dose: £65
Doses per course: 3
Price per course: £195
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About the vaccine
When to get vaccinated: You need two doses to be protected and you need to have received the second dose two weeks before travel. You should get the first dose at least two months before travel – the earlier, the better.
Course: The course consists of three doses. The second dose is given 1 to 3 months after the first. The third dose is given 5 to 12 months after the second dose.
Accelerated course: If you are travelling at short notice, you may be able to have the first two doses 14 days apart instead. You need to start this course at least two weeks before travel to be fully protected by the time you go.
Boosters: Once you have completed the three-dose course, you are protected for three years. You need a booster to remain protected once the three years are up.
How it is given: Injection in the upper arm.
Side effects: The vaccine can cause mild side effects, such as tiredness, nausea and headache.
Children: The vaccine is suitable for children who are 12 months and older.
Additional precautions: In addition to getting vaccinated, you need to take precautions to avoid tick bites.
Risk if you contract the disease: Tick-borne encephalitis can cause serious complications, such as inflammation of the brain.
About the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination
The vaccination process for tick-borne encephalitis consists of three separate doses. The second dose is administered 1 to 3 months following the initial dose, and the third dose should be given one year later. Once you have completed this vaccination course, you will be protected for three years.
Ideally, it is recommended to schedule your tick-borne encephalitis vaccine appointment so that at least two weeks have passed since the second injection by the time you depart. If you are pressed for time, it may be possible to shorten the interval between the first and second doses.
Your pharmacist can assist in creating a suitable vaccination schedule. The vaccine may induce mild side effects in some individuals. It is not uncommon for redness or swelling to occur at the injection site, and tiredness, nausea, and headaches are also potential side effects.
According to NHS data, there are roughly 3,000 hospital admissions attributed to tick-borne encephalitis in Europe every year, excluding Russia. Therefore, if you plan to stay in an area with a high prevalence of infected ticks, obtaining a TBE vaccination is the safest method to avoid this infection, especially if you intend to spend a significant amount of time outdoors.
What is tick-borne encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that is endemic in many European countries. As the name implies, this infection is transmitted by ticks, tiny insects that inhabit grasslands, woodlands, and shrublands. Ticks feed on the blood of host animals, and if a tick bites an animal carrying the TBE virus, subsequent hosts are at risk of contracting the infection.
Initially, tick-borne encephalitis leads to symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. As the infection progresses, patients tend to develop additional symptoms, including nausea and heightened sensitivity to light. If the inflammation spreads to the brain and its surrounding tissues, seizures, speech difficulties, or coordination problems may manifest.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or treatment for tick-borne encephalitis. Patients who only experience first-stage symptoms typically recover with the help of painkillers and anti-inflammatories. However, patients who progress to the second stage of the disease require hospital treatment, as TBE can give rise to severe complications. If you are likely to be exposed to ticks carrying the TBE virus, it is advisable to consider getting a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine.
Tick-borne encephalitis risk countries
Ticks in the UK are not carriers of the TBE virus. However, ticks that can transmit the virus are found in many European countries, including Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Ukraine. TBE is also present in Siberia and the eastern regions of Russia, as well as some areas in China and Japan.
Since ticks are inactive during the winter months, tick-borne encephalitis is a seasonal disease. In European regions, ticks become active in the spring. Their activity is dependent on the weather, with ticks typically emerging when temperatures rise above 6°C and remaining active until temperatures drop in November. Whether you require a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine depends on your travel destination and the timing of your trip.
Avoiding tick bites
When hiking or working in an area with infected ticks, you should try to avoid being bitten by ticks. Most importantly, you should wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers. It is also best to avoid having a gap between your socks and trousers. You should check yourself regularly and make sure you know how to remove ticks correctly. In addition, there are insecticides which are suitable for repelling ticks.