Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine: Why It’s Essential for European Travel

As summer approaches, many people are planning exciting outdoor holidays across Europe—from hiking through Austria’s alpine forests to camping beside Slovenia’s scenic lakes. While these destinations offer stunning scenery and adventure, they also pose a lesser-known but serious health risk: tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). At Cheltenham Travel Clinic, we strongly recommend considering the tick borne encephalitis vaccine if you’re heading to affected regions.

TBE is a potentially severe viral infection spread by infected tick bites. Although still relatively uncommon, cases are rising in parts of Europe, making prevention more important than ever. This guide explains what you need to know about TBE, how it spreads, and how the vaccine can protect you and your family while travelling.

What Is Tick-Borne Encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system. It can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), the spinal cord (myelitis), or the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). The disease typically progresses in two phases:

Initial phase: Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.

Second phase (in around 30% of cases): Neurological complications, including confusion, seizures, paralysis, and in rare cases, long-term disability or death.

Unlike Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria and treatable with antibiotics, there is no specific treatment for TBE. Prevention is therefore crucial.

Book your tick borne encephalitis vaccine.

Where Is Tick-Borne Encephalitis a Risk?

TBE is primarily found in forested and rural areas of central, eastern and northern Europe, as well as parts of Russia and China. Popular holiday destinations where TBE is a known risk include:

  • Austria

  • Germany (especially Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg)

  • Switzerland

  • Sweden and Finland

  • The Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia)

  • Czech Republic

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Poland

  • Some parts of France and the Netherlands

Transmission is most common during spring to early autumn when ticks are most active. Activities such as hiking, camping, cycling, or picnicking in grassy or wooded areas increase the risk of tick bites.

How Does the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine Work?

The tick borne encephalitis vaccine offers highly effective protection against the virus. It’s an inactivated vaccine, meaning it does not contain any live virus and cannot cause the disease. The course consists of:

  • Two initial doses given at least two weeks apart (for short-term protection).

  • A third dose given 5–12 months later for long-term immunity.

Once the full course is complete, a booster is recommended every 3–5 years to maintain protection. If you’re travelling soon, an accelerated schedule is available to ensure immunity within two weeks of the second dose.

Who Should Get the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine?

The vaccine is suitable for adults and children over one year of age. It is strongly advised for:

  • Travellers spending time outdoors in rural or forested areas in affected countries

  • People planning activities like hiking, camping, or fishing

  • Those staying in high-risk regions for extended periods

  • Expatriates or long-term residents in endemic areas

Even if you’re only travelling for a short break, it’s worth assessing your exposure risk—especially if you’ll be off the beaten track.

Other Ways to Prevent Tick Bites

Although the tick borne encephalitis vaccine is your best defence against TBE, you should also take practical steps to reduce the chance of being bitten:

  • Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and closed shoes in grassy or wooded areas

  • Tuck trousers into socks and keep to marked paths

  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin

  • Perform a thorough tick check after outdoor activities

  • Carry tick removal tools and know how to use them properly

Ticks are often found in warm, moist areas of the body, such as behind the knees, under the arms, around the waist, and in the scalp.

Do I need the tick borne encephalitis vaccine?

What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Tick

If you find a tick on your skin, remove it as soon as possible using a tick hook or fine-tipped tweezers:

  • Grip the tick close to the skin without squeezing the body.

  • Pull steadily without twisting until the tick releases.

  • Clean the bite site with antiseptic.

  • Monitor your health over the next few weeks and seek medical advice if you feel unwell.

Early removal can reduce the risk of both Lyme disease and TBE, though the virus can be transmitted quickly—another reason vaccination is so important.

Book Your TBE Vaccination with Cheltenham Travel Clinic

At Cheltenham Travel Clinic, we offer expert travel health advice and access to essential vaccines, including the tick borne encephalitis vaccine. Our travel specialists will assess your itinerary, risk factors, and timeframes to recommend the best protection plan for your journey.

Don’t let ticks ruin your summer adventure. Whether you’re heading for the forests of Austria or the lakes of Estonia, plan ahead and travel with peace of mind.

Reach out to book your travel health consultation today and get protected before you go.

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