Book your travel vaccinations online
Book OnlineTick-Borne Encephalitis requires 3-doses for full protection. To book, select a travel consultation appointment with one of our expert travel nurses.
| Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine | Children | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Single Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination | £65 | £68 |
| Course of Treatment: 3 doses required | £195 | £204 |
| Total cost including travel consultation fee | £220 | £229 |
| National Shortage: Call before booking |
Fleet Street Clinic is not a VAT registered company
How do we vaccinate against Tick-Borne Encephalitis?
There is a vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (Ticovac and Ticovac Junior) which is highly effective against TBE.
You will require three doses of the vaccine in total. The primary schedule requires two vaccinations to be given 14 days apart, and a third dose to be given one year later.
The vaccination is suitable for adults and children over the age of one-year-old.
How does it spread?
TBE is predominantly spread through tick bites, like the name suggests but also from ingesting unpasteurised milk or milk products from infected animals.
Tick bites are generally painless, and 40% of disease victims have no recollection of receiving a tick bite. Traveller’s who take part in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, hill-walking and even jogging, are at risk, and children playing outside may be especially vulnerable.
When should I get this vaccine?
Ticks are most active from March to October, but they can be active throughout the year, even on mild winter days.
Vaccination should be considered in the winter months so as to develop immunity in time before the tick season starts the following year.
TBE virus infection can be prevented by vaccination alongside avoiding tick bites.
Tick Borne Encephalitis Detected in England
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed three cases of TBE virus in patients in Yorkshire, Norfolk, and on the border of Hampshire and Dorset. Further tests on ticks across the country have found that the disease, which was commonly found in parts of Europe and Asia until now, is now present in the UK.
You are much more likely to catch TBE if you work outdoors or if you enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, dog-walking, countryside rambling and even jogging. Children playing outside may be especially vulnerable.
Vaccines can provide protection, and as there is currently no known cure for tick-borne encephalitis virus, those individuals who would be considered at higher risk are advised to be vaccinated as a precaution.
What is tick-borne encephalitis?
TBE is a viral infection that is predominantly transmitted through the bite of an infected Ixodes tick.
The virus belongs to the same family of viruses that relate to Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue Fever and Zika virus- known as flaviviruses. TBE affects the central nervous system, can lead to neurological complications and can even be fatal in severe cases.
What are the symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis?
Many people with TBE can be asymptomatic
Many people with TBE can be asymptomatic but for those who do experience symptoms, initially they may present flu-like symptoms which lead onto a fever, headache and inflammation of the heart, pancreas, brain and spinal cord. The worst cases can lead to paralysis or permanent neurological damage and even death.
How else can I protect myself from tick bites?
Ticks are small parasitic organisms that live in wooded areas and fields.
In addition to having the TBE vaccine, you should try to avoid tick bites as much as possible. Wearing long trousers and sleeves which have been treated with permethrin or DEET insect repellent will offer the best protection.
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Book your travel vaccinations online
Book OnlineTick-Borne Encephalitis requires 3-doses for full protection. To book, select a travel consultation appointment with one of our expert travel nurses.
| Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine | Children | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Single Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination | £65 | £68 |
| Course of Treatment: 3 doses required | £195 | £204 |
| Total cost including travel consultation fee | £220 | £229 |
| National Shortage: Call before booking |
Fleet Street Clinic is not a VAT registered company
Vaccinations at Fleet Street Clinic
Traveling the world is one of life’s greatest joys, whether it be a holiday or a business trip.
Visiting different countries and experiencing different cultures is extremely exciting but unfortunately, it does come with some increased health risks. We understand seeking travel health advice isn’t the most exciting aspect of planning your trip but traveling unprepared dramatically increases your risk of getting an incurable or even fatal preventable-disease.
A consultation with an expert travel nurse and a couple of vaccinations could be the difference between you staying healthy and enjoying your travels and you being seriously unwell.
FAQs
No, they are separate diseases with different symptoms and risks. Tick-borne encephalitis is caused by a virus and Lyme disease is bacterial. Both are typically transmitted by ticks which is where the confusion often comes from. A vaccine to protect against Lyme disease does not exist yet.
The risk of TBE in England is considered low with very small numbers each year, although over the years it has continued to rise. As ticks live in forest and grassy areas, you are much more likely to catch TBE if you enjoy camping, hiking and/ or are a dog walker. Those individuals would be considered higher risk and advised to be vaccinated as a precaution.
Yes, you can. If you would like to keep your usual NHS GP for your health concerns that is fine. You can choose to get vaccinated private and although this carries a cost, it can be more convenient and appointment availability can be more flexible to meet your needs.
We will discuss your travel plans in detail, so a copy of your travel itinerary including proposed dates of travel, destination(s) you’re travelling to and length of your stay are all helpful details for our nurses. We’ll also discuss your health so information about your vaccination history to date is useful, as well as any medication you are currently taking.
We will most likely vaccinate you upper arm, we would therefore advise you to wear loose comfortable clothing for ease of access to your upper arm for vaccination.
The primary course of vaccination against TBE consists of two vaccinations given a minimum of 14 days apart. Following this the third dose is given 5-12 months afterwards. This offers protection up to 3-years, following this a booster dose is advised every 3-years for ongoing protection.
TBE vaccination is inactivated and does not contain live organisms. It, therefore, cannot cause tuberculosis from vaccination.
A full course of TBE consists of 3 vaccines. The primary course of vaccination consists of two vaccinations given a minimum of 14 days apart, followed by the third dose given 5-12 months later. Booster doses are advised every 3 years for those at ongoing risk.
There is no specific treatment for TBE which is why the emphasis is placed upon prevention of the illness. Fatality occurs in up to 3% of European / Siberian strains, and up to 30% in Asian strains.
Although both illnesses cause encephalitis, TBE and JE are both two distinct diseases in terms of the virus, transmission and geographical areas. For more information on Japanese encephalitis (JE).
Fatality occurs in up to 3% of European / Siberian strains, and up to 30% in Asian strains, which is relatively low. But, because there is no specific treatment for TBE the emphasis is placed upon prevention of the illness.
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for TBE. This is why vaccination is important to consider. Those who are at risk should consider prevention of the illness with a TBE vaccine.
TBE is endemic to areas of eastern, central, northern and increasingly western Europe; northern China, Mongolia, Russia, Japan and South Korea. It is quite widespread and certain activities and locations within these countries increase the risk further. You should book a travel consultation with a travel nurse to better understand your risk if you are unsure.
Between 10–12,000 cases TBE are reported annually globally, but this number is thought to be an under-estimate.
