Overview
Protects against tick-borne encephalitis virus, a potentially severe neurological infection transmitted by tick bites in forested areas of Europe and Asia.
Recommended for travellers to endemic areas in Europe (particularly central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia) and Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) who will be engaging in outdoor activities in forested areas during the tick season (spring and summer, typically April to November). Not a routine travel vaccine for most Australian travellers.
Vaccination Schedule
Standard schedule: 3 doses: dose 1 at day 0, dose 2 at 1-3 months, dose 3 at 5-12 months after dose 2. First booster at 3 years, then every 5 years (every 3 years for those aged 60+).
Accelerated schedule: Accelerated schedule: dose 1 at day 0, dose 2 at day 14, dose 3 at 5-12 months. Dose 2 can be given as early as 14 days after dose 1 for rapid protection before travel.
Route: Intramuscular injection
Brands Available in Australia (TGA-Registered)
- TicoVac (Pfizer)
Cost in Australia
Estimated cost: $100-$150 per dose (3-dose primary course: $300-$450)
Medicare/PBS: Not funded under NIP or PBS. Available on private prescription. Not widely stocked; may need to be ordered in advance by travel clinics.
Efficacy & Duration
Efficacy: Greater than 95% seroprotection after 3-dose course
Two doses provide approximately 90% short-term protection. Three doses provide greater than 95% protection with long-lasting immunity. Field effectiveness studies in Austria (where the vaccine is widely used) show greater than 95% reduction in TBE cases.
Duration of protection: After the primary 3-dose course, first booster at 3 years, then every 5 years. For persons aged 60 and older, boosters are recommended every 3 years due to waning immunity with age.
Side Effects
| Side Effect | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Injection site pain, redness, swelling | Very common (>50%) |
| Headache, fatigue, myalgia | Common (10-50%) |
| Fever, nausea, arthralgia | Uncommon (1-10%) |
| Fever in children (more common than in adults) | Common (10-50%) |
Contraindications
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or vaccine component (including egg protein, formaldehyde, gentamicin)
- Severe egg allergy (vaccine produced in chick embryo fibroblasts)
- Severe illness (defer vaccination)
Special Populations
Pregnancy
Category B3. Limited data in pregnancy. Can be considered if the risk of exposure is significant and cannot be avoided. Inactivated vaccine.
Children
TicoVac Junior (0.25 mL) licensed from 1 year of age. Same schedule as adults. Fever is more common in children after the first dose. Consider paracetamol prophylaxis for the first dose in young children.
Immunocompromised Travellers
Safe to administer (inactivated vaccine). Immune response may be reduced. Post-vaccination serology can be considered through specialist reference laboratories. Emphasise tick bite prevention measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need tick-borne encephalitis vaccine for Europe?
It depends on your activities and destination. TBE vaccination is recommended if you will be hiking, camping, or doing outdoor activities in forested areas of central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, or Russia during spring and summer (April-November). Urban travellers and those visiting western European cities are at very low risk.
Which European countries have tick-borne encephalitis?
TBE is most common in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany (particularly Bavaria), Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, and Russia. The virus is also found in parts of China, Japan, and South Korea. Risk is concentrated in forested and rural areas at altitudes below 1,500 metres.
How much does the TBE vaccine cost in Australia?
TicoVac costs approximately $100-$150 per dose. The full 3-dose primary course costs $300-$450 plus consultation fees. It is not covered by Medicare or the PBS. The vaccine may need to be specially ordered by your travel clinic as it is not widely stocked in Australia.
Can I get the TBE vaccine quickly before travel?
The accelerated schedule allows the second dose at day 14 (rather than 1-3 months). Two doses provide approximately 90% protection. However, the third dose at 5-12 months is needed for long-term protection. If your trip is within 2 weeks, two doses may not be feasible; rely on tick bite prevention measures.
How do I prevent tick bites while travelling?
Wear long sleeves and trousers tucked into socks in forested areas. Use insect repellent containing DEET (20-50%) or picaridin on exposed skin. Treat clothing with permethrin. Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activities and remove any promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Ticks need to be attached for several hours to transmit the virus.
Is tick-borne encephalitis serious?
TBE can cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain lining) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Approximately 1-2% of cases are fatal, and up to 10-20% of those with neurological disease may have long-term complications including paralysis, cognitive impairment, and chronic headaches. There is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE.
Can I get TBE from unpasteurised dairy products?
Yes. TBE virus can be transmitted by consuming unpasteurised milk or cheese from infected goats, sheep, or cows, particularly in rural areas of endemic countries. This is a less common route of transmission than tick bites but is a recognised risk. Avoid unpasteurised dairy products in endemic areas.
Is TBE the same as Lyme disease?
No. TBE and Lyme disease are different infections, though both are transmitted by ticks in similar geographic areas. TBE is caused by a virus and is prevented by vaccination. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and is treated with antibiotics. There is no Lyme disease vaccine available. Tick bite prevention protects against both.
Sources & References
Last updated: April 2026