Protect yourself while travelling. Get your tick-borne encephalitis vaccine with Herbert & Shrive Pharmacy today.
What is Tick-Borne Encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It’s caused by a virus that’s spread through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks carrying the virus are found in many parts of Europe and Asia, especially in forests, grasslands, and rural areas.
The condition is rarely found in the UK, but if you’re travelling to affected areas — including Austria, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Russia, and parts of China — you may be at risk. TBE can lead to flu-like symptoms, and in some cases, it may cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can be serious.
Who Needs the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine?
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is recommended if you:
- Are travelling to a country where TBE is present.
- Plan to spend a lot of time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas.
- Are hiking, camping, or working in rural or forested regions.
- Will be in an area where medical help may be hard to access.
You’re most at risk in spring and summer, when ticks are most active. Even if you’re travelling for a short period, it’s important to assess your risk with a healthcare professional.
At Herbert & Shrive Pharmacy, we offer tick-borne encephalitis immunisation. Our trained pharmacists will provide you guidance on whether the vaccine is suitable for your travel plans.
How is the Vaccine Given?
The TBE tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is given as a course of two doses:
- You’ll need at least 2 injections, given 2 weeks apart, with the first dose ideally taken at least 1 month before you travel.
- A third booster dose is given 5–12 months after the second for longer-lasting protection.
- Boosters are recommended every 3 years if you remain at risk.
If you’re travelling soon, speak to us — in some cases, the first two doses can be given just two weeks apart for quicker protection.
The vaccine is safe and effective. Most people experience no side effects or only mild ones, such as soreness where the injection was given.
Why Choose Herbert & Shrive Pharmacy?
We are your local travel health experts in Teddington & Kingston Upon Thames, also welcome patients from Hampton Wick, Richmond, and Twickenham. Whether you’re going on a family holiday, work trip, or adventure, we’re here to help you stay safe.
At Herbert & Shrive Pharmacy, we offer:
- Professional travel health advice.
- Convenient appointment times.
- Walk-ins are available.
- NHS-aligned vaccination services.
Get Your Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination Today
Don’t let a tick bite ruin your trip. Protect yourself with the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination before you travel. Our experienced pharmacy team will ensure you get the right protection at the right time.
Contact us on +44 (0)20 8977 1967 to speak with us. We’re here to help you travel safely.
We pride ourselves on offering our customers a quick, efficient service.