Tick-borne Encephalitis

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Available Immunizations

Two vaccines for tick-borne encephalitis are available. The vaccine is accessible by special request through Health canada. It is not available in stock. Travelers needing this vaccine must pre-pay and supply their name, date of birth, weight, sex and destination. Delivery is usually within 48 hours.

  • The killed-virus vaccine requires a 3-dose primary series administered on day 0 - 30 - 6 months (if needed). Most travelers only need two vaccines before leaving.
  • A booster dose is given approximately 3 years after completion of the primary series.
  • The two vaccines are given intra muscularly

    • Although the vaccine is considered effective, there may be side effects ranging from occasional local reactions (e.g. redness and swelling at the injection site) to rare instances of high fever or vomiting, and - very rarely - neuritis or other neurological complications.

    Indications for Vaccination

  • Available data does not support a recommendation for the routine use of the vaccine in travelers.
  • Unless travelers visit or work in parks, forests, fields, or pastures, or consume unpasteurized dairy products, their risk for acquiring TBE is low.
  • Immunization is suggested for persons with a high risk of exposure.

    • What is it?

    Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system caused by bites from certain ticks.

    Where is it?

    Countries where TBE is common include Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, China, Korea, Belarus, and northern Yugoslavia; lower incidence is reported in Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, France, the Aland Islands, and the nearby Finnish coastline, as well as the coastline of southern Sweden, from Uppsala to Karishamn.

    The infection can also be acquired by consuming unpasteurized dairy products from infected cows, goats, or sheep.

    Prevention Tips

    Travelers should be advised to avoid tick-infested areas, dress appropriately, and use repellents for protection against tick bites. The disease organism is injected into the bite site within a few minutes. Therefore rapid detection of the tick and its removal is important.
  • DEET can be applied directly on the skin or to clothing.
  • Compounds that contain permethrin should only be used on clothing, camping gear, window screens, etc. (not on the skin). Wear hats with wide brims and button shirt collars. While in endemic areas do frequent tick checks on each other.
  • Take along a tick removal device (tick scoop or fine tweezers).
  • Unpasteurized dairy products should not be consumed.
  • Seek immediate medical attention in case of bite.

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