Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine in London
Planning hiking, camping or rural travel in tick-borne encephalitis risk areas? Get clear vaccine advice and appointments at a central London clinic.
Tick-borne encephalitis and your travel plans
Forest walks in Austria, camping in Sweden, a cycling trip through the Baltics: tick-borne encephalitis is usually relevant when your trip puts you close to ticks, not when you are staying in hotels and cities only. At City Of London Clinic in London, we discuss the route, season and activities before recommending the TBE vaccine. This page explains what the infection is, who may need the jab, and how early to plan the course.
Forest walks in Austria, camping in Sweden, a cycling trip through the Baltics: tick-borne encephalitis is usually relevant when your trip puts you close to ticks, not when you are staying in hotels and cities only. At City Of London Clinic in London, we discuss the route, season and activities before recommending the TBE vaccine. This page explains what the infection is, who may need the jab, and how early to plan the course.
A tick virus that can reach the nervous system
Tick-borne encephalitis, usually shortened to TBE, is a viral infection spread mainly through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. These ticks live in woodland, grassland, forest edges, riverside meadows, parks and gardens. They sit low on vegetation and can be brushed onto clothing while walking, camping, hunting, fieldworking or spending long periods outdoors. Most infections cause no symptoms, or a short feverish illness with headache, tiredness and muscle aches. A smaller number progress to inflammation affecting the brain, the lining around the brain, or the spinal cord. That is where TBE becomes serious. There is no specific antiviral treatment, so care is mainly supportive, and severe cases may need hospital treatment. Travellers can also catch TBE, more rarely, from unpasteurised dairy products from infected animals. Raw milk cheese on a rural farm stay is not the usual route, but it is a recognised one.
Tick-borne encephalitis, usually shortened to TBE, is a viral infection spread mainly through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. These ticks live in woodland, grassland, forest edges, riverside meadows, parks and gardens. They sit low on vegetation and can be brushed onto clothing while walking, camping, hunting, fieldworking or spending long periods outdoors. Most infections cause no symptoms, or a short feverish illness with headache, tiredness and muscle aches. A smaller number progress to inflammation affecting the brain, the lining around the brain, or the spinal cord. That is where TBE becomes serious. There is no specific antiviral treatment, so care is mainly supportive, and severe cases may need hospital treatment. Travellers can also catch TBE, more rarely, from unpasteurised dairy products from infected animals. Raw milk cheese on a rural farm stay is not the usual route, but it is a recognised one.
How the TBE vaccine course works
The TBE vaccine trains your immune system to recognise tick-borne encephalitis virus before exposure. It can lower your risk of TBE if you are bitten by an infected tick, but it does not protect against other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease. Repellent, long trousers, tick checks and prompt tick removal still matter. In the UK, TBE vaccination is usually given as a three-dose course. The second dose is commonly given 1 to 3 months after the first, with a faster option where the second dose can be given after 2 weeks if time is short. The third dose is given later to complete the primary course. A booster may be advised if you remain at risk; timing can differ with age and ongoing exposure. The vaccine is available in adult and child formulations, with children assessed according to age, medical history and travel risk. Tell the clinician if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, egg, or a vaccine ingredient, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, feverish, or have an immune or neurological condition. Sore arm, redness, swelling, headache, tiredness, muscle aches and fever can occur, usually briefly.
The TBE vaccine trains your immune system to recognise tick-borne encephalitis virus before exposure. It can lower your risk of TBE if you are bitten by an infected tick, but it does not protect against other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease. Repellent, long trousers, tick checks and prompt tick removal still matter. In the UK, TBE vaccination is usually given as a three-dose course. The second dose is commonly given 1 to 3 months after the first, with a faster option where the second dose can be given after 2 weeks if time is short. The third dose is given later to complete the primary course. A booster may be advised if you remain at risk; timing can differ with age and ongoing exposure. The vaccine is available in adult and child formulations, with children assessed according to age, medical history and travel risk. Tell the clinician if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, egg, or a vaccine ingredient, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, feverish, or have an immune or neurological condition. Sore arm, redness, swelling, headache, tiredness, muscle aches and fever can occur, usually briefly.
Trips where TBE risk deserves attention
TBE is reported across parts of western, northern and central Europe and through northern and eastern Asia. The countries most often discussed include Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Baltic states, parts of Scandinavia, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Japan. Risk often sits in specific rural or forested areas rather than across a whole country. Season matters. In much of Europe, cases are seen from spring through autumn, when ticks are more active. A long-distance hiker in Slovenia in June, a camper in Sweden in August, or a forestry worker in the Czech Republic faces a different exposure pattern from someone taking a winter city break. UK-acquired TBE remains very uncommon, but small areas of infected ticks have been detected.
TBE is reported across parts of western, northern and central Europe and through northern and eastern Asia. The countries most often discussed include Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Baltic states, parts of Scandinavia, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Japan. Risk often sits in specific rural or forested areas rather than across a whole country. Season matters. In much of Europe, cases are seen from spring through autumn, when ticks are more active. A long-distance hiker in Slovenia in June, a camper in Sweden in August, or a forestry worker in the Czech Republic faces a different exposure pattern from someone taking a winter city break. UK-acquired TBE remains very uncommon, but small areas of infected ticks have been detected.
Plan the course before tick season
If your itinerary includes forests, lakes, campsites, farms or rural work in a TBE risk area, book early enough to fit in the doses sensibly. City Of London Clinic can assess the trip, check timing, and vaccinate where appropriate. The clinic is on Goswell Road, handy for Farringdon and Moorgate, with weekday and Saturday appointments available. Bring your dates, destinations and any previous vaccine record.
If your itinerary includes forests, lakes, campsites, farms or rural work in a TBE risk area, book early enough to fit in the doses sensibly. City Of London Clinic can assess the trip, check timing, and vaccinate where appropriate. The clinic is on Goswell Road, handy for Farringdon and Moorgate, with weekday and Saturday appointments available. Bring your dates, destinations and any previous vaccine record.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
How soon before travel should I start the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine?
Start as early as you can, especially if you want the standard three-dose schedule. If you are travelling soon, a shorter interval between the first two doses may be possible, but it still needs planning. Bring your departure date to the appointment so the clinician can map the schedule properly.
Do I need the TBE vaccine for a short city break in Europe?
Can children have the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine?
What side effects should I expect after the TBE jab?
Can I get the TBE vaccine at City Of London Clinic?
How soon before travel should I start the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine?
Start as early as you can, especially if you want the standard three-dose schedule. If you are travelling soon, a shorter interval between the first two doses may be possible, but it still needs planning. Bring your departure date to the appointment so the clinician can map the schedule properly.
Do I need the TBE vaccine for a short city break in Europe?
Can children have the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine?
What side effects should I expect after the TBE jab?
Can I get the TBE vaccine at City Of London Clinic?
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
City Of London
Clinic
CoL
C
