Tick-borne Encephalitis
For walking, camping and working in the forests of central, northern and eastern Europe, and parts of Asia.
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection spread by the bite of an infected tick, and occasionally by unpasteurised milk. Most people have a mild flu-like illness, but in some it goes on to inflame the brain and spinal cord, and a proportion are left with long-term problems. It is a European disease as much as anything: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Baltic states, Scandinavia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia, with a season running from early spring to late autumn.
Who should consider it
Ticks live in long grass and at the edges of woodland, so the risk is to people who walk, camp, cycle, fish or work outdoors in rural areas during the season. A city break carries almost none. Longer stays and repeat visits — a family cabin in the forest, say — raise it.
The vaccine
TicoVac is a course of three injections: the second one to three months after the first, and the third five to twelve months after that. Where time is short the second dose can be given two weeks after the first, which gives useful protection for the trip; the third completes the course. Children from one to fifteen have TicoVac Junior at the same price. A first booster within three years and then every five years keeps protection up if you are still at risk.
Avoiding ticks
Long trousers tucked into socks, repellent on exposed skin, and a check of your whole body each evening. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with fine tweezers or a tick tool, pulling straight out without squeezing.
Not sure whether you need this one? Book the travel consultation instead and the pharmacist will go through your trip with you.