TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VACCINE. SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine in Arizona

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious viral brain infection spread by tick bites across forested Europe, Russia, and northern Asia. There is no antiviral treatment once infected. The TBE vaccine is safe, highly effective, and available at our Scottsdale travel clinic. Same-day appointments often available.

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95 to 99% effective . 3-dose primary series . No treatment once infected

QUICK FACTS

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system. It’s transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, primarily in wooded or grassy areas in parts of Europe and Asia.

  • Symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe neurological complications and in rare cases, it can be fatal.
  • An effective TBE vaccination is available and is recommended for those who live in or travel to regions where TBE is prevalent.
  • Prevention of TBE also includes avoiding tick bites by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis: A Viral Brain Infection With No Cure

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system caused by the TBE virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe and Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Asia and Russia, and in rare cases through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals.

The virus circulates across a broad band of forested territory stretching from Central Europe through Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Eastern Europe, Russia, and into parts of China, Japan, and South Korea. Reported cases across Europe and Asia number more than 10,000 to 12,000 annually, though the true burden is believed to be significantly higher due to incomplete surveillance.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE. Once the virus reaches the brain and spinal cord, care is entirely supportive: hospitalization, steroids for inflammation, and management of complications. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients who develop neurological disease experience lasting neurological deficits. The mortality rate for the European subtype is around 1 to 2 percent. The Siberian subtype carries a case-fatality rate of up to 6 to 8 percent. The Far Eastern subtype can reach 20 to 40 percent in severe cases.

The vaccine is the single most effective preventive measure. It is safe, well-studied, and widely used in endemic countries, where national immunization programs have dramatically reduced disease incidence.

Who Should Consider the TBE Vaccine

The CDC recommends TBE vaccination for travelers who plan to:

  • Spend time in forested or rural areas of TBE-endemic countries during tick season (April through November, with peak activity in spring and early summer)
  • Engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, cycling, hunting, fishing, or forestry work in endemic areas
  • Travel extensively or reside in endemic areas for a month or more, even if staying in urban areas
  • Consume unpasteurized milk or cheese in endemic regions
  • Work in a laboratory handling TBE virus

Urban sightseeing in cities such as Vienna, Prague, or Munich typically carries low risk. However, many travelers combine city visits with day trips into surrounding forests, where exposure risk rises sharply. We assess your specific itinerary at your consultation.

Medically Reviewed By

Norman J. Bizon, PA-C, CTH
Medical Director, 30+ years clinical experience

Tessa E. McFall, ASN, EMT
Travel Health Clinician

Last updated April 21, 2026

DESTINATIONS

Where Tick-Borne Encephalitis Is a Risk

TBE is endemic across a wide belt of forested territory from Central Europe to the Russian Far East and parts of East Asia. Risk is highest in wooded, rural, and semi-rural areas during April through November. Always confirm at your consultation.

Austria. One of the highest per-capita TBE rates in Europe. Risk is present across most forested regions outside major cities. The Vienna Woods and alpine foothills carry documented risk. Austria’s national vaccination program covers the majority of its own population, which reflects the seriousness of local transmission.

Germany. Risk areas are concentrated in Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and parts of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. The Robert Koch Institute publishes annual district-level risk maps. Recommended for travelers hiking or camping in southern Germany during tick season.

Czech Republic and Slovakia. Significant and widespread TBE activity throughout forested zones. Recommended for any outdoor travel beyond urban centers.

Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Among the highest TBE incidence rates in Europe. Risk is widespread across rural and forested areas. Strongly recommended for any nature-based travel in these countries.

Poland. Endemic foci documented across forested areas. Recommended for hiking, cycling, and rural itineraries throughout the country.

Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. Documented endemic transmission in forested zones. Recommended for travelers spending time outdoors and away from major cities.

Switzerland. Risk documented in most cantons below approximately 1,500 meters. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health recommends vaccination for the general population. Recommended for hiking, cycling, and outdoor activities throughout most of the country.

Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Bulgaria. Endemic foci documented in forested regions. Recommended for travelers spending time in rural or wooded areas. Risk is lower than in Austria or the Baltic states but real for outdoor itineraries.

Sweden. Risk is concentrated along coastal areas and the archipelago, particularly in the Stockholm and Kalmar regions. Sweden has expanded its at-risk zone designation in recent years. Recommended for kayaking, cabin stays, and coastal hiking in endemic areas during tick season.

Finland. Risk is present in the southwestern archipelago and coastal regions, particularly the Aland Islands and Turku archipelago. Recommended for travelers to these areas between April and November.

Norway. Lower risk than Sweden or Finland but documented cases in southern coastal zones. Worth discussing for extended outdoor itineraries in southern Norway.

Russia. Widespread risk across Siberia and the Russian Far East, where the Siberian and Far Eastern subtypes circulate and carry higher mortality than the European subtype. Risk is also present in European Russia. Strongly recommended for any rural travel, Trans-Siberian rail journeys with stops in forested towns, or nature tourism anywhere in Russia.

China. The Far Eastern subtype is present in northeastern China, particularly Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia provinces. Recommended for travelers to forested rural areas in these regions.

Japan. The Far Eastern subtype has been reported from Hokkaido. Risk is low but present for hikers and outdoor workers in forested areas of northern Japan. Recommended for extended outdoor travel in Hokkaido.

Mongolia. TBE risk is documented, particularly in forested northern and central Mongolia. Recommended for travelers venturing outside Ulaanbaatar into rural steppe or forested areas.

Kazakhstan and Central Asia. TBE activity is documented in parts of Kazakhstan and neighboring Central Asian countries, particularly in forested or semi-forested zones. Risk is geographically focal. Discuss with your travel medicine provider based on your specific itinerary.

TBE is not present in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Americas, or the Middle East. If your travel is limited to these regions, TBE vaccination is not indicated. Risk maps shift as surveillance improves and climate changes expand tick ranges. We review current CDC and ECDC guidance for your specific itinerary at your appointment.

VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Standard and Accelerated Dosing

The TBE vaccine approved in the United States (TICOVAC, by Pfizer) is given as a 3-dose primary series. Start as early as possible before travel. Even 2 doses provide substantial protection in the short term.

Standard Schedule (adults 16 and older)

  • Dose 1: Day 0
  • Dose 2: 1 to 3 months after dose 1
  • Dose 3: 5 to 12 months after dose 2
  • Booster: Every 3 years for continued exposure risk

After doses 1 and 2, protection reaches approximately 90 percent or higher in healthy adults. After the complete 3-dose series, efficacy reaches 95 to 99 percent.

Accelerated Schedule (if travel is imminent)

  • Dose 1: Day 0
  • Dose 2: 14 days after dose 1
  • Travel is possible after dose 2
  • Dose 3: 5 to 12 months later to complete the series

The accelerated schedule is available for adults when standard timing is not feasible due to travel dates. Protection after 2 doses is meaningful but lower than the full series. We walk through this tradeoff at your consultation.

Children (1 to 15 years of age): TICOVAC Junior is approved for children aged 1 year and older. The 3-dose schedule mirrors the adult schedule at a lower dose. Discuss pediatric vaccination for children traveling to endemic forested areas.

If your trip is in under 2 weeks, call us. Even a single dose is better than none, and we can help you plan remaining doses around your return.

Call to Plan Your Schedule

SAFETY

Who Should Not Get the TBE Vaccine

TICOVAC is an inactivated (killed) virus vaccine, which makes it safer for immunocompromised individuals than live-virus vaccines. However, certain contraindications still apply.

Contraindications

You should not receive the TBE vaccine, or should receive it only after careful consultation, if you:

  • Have a known severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of TICOVAC or to any component of the vaccine, including formaldehyde or protamine sulfate
  • Are younger than 1 year of age (safety and efficacy not established)
  • Have a severe febrile illness at the time of vaccination (defer until recovered)
  • Are pregnant (safety data are limited. Discuss risks and benefits with your provider if travel to an endemic area is unavoidable)
  • Have an autoimmune neurological condition that may be exacerbated (discuss with your neurologist before vaccination)

Precautions and Special Cases

The following situations require individual assessment rather than blanket avoidance:

  • Breastfeeding: Limited data. Generally considered acceptable. Discuss with your provider.
  • Immunocompromised travelers: Because TICOVAC is inactivated, it can usually be given to immunocompromised patients. Immune response may be reduced. Additional doses or serologic testing may be considered.
  • Older adults (60 and older): Immune response may be somewhat lower. Completing the full 3-dose series is especially important in this group.
  • Autoimmune conditions on immunosuppressants: Timing relative to therapy affects immune response. Coordinate with your prescribing physician.
Call to Discuss Your Case

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Specific Situations We Handle

Last-Minute Travel

Heading to Austria, Germany, or the Baltics in a few weeks? Two doses on an accelerated schedule (14 days apart) provide meaningful protection. We coordinate the timing to maximize coverage before your departure and complete the series after you return.

Immunocompromised Travelers

Unlike yellow fever vaccine, TICOVAC is inactivated and can generally be given to patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Response may be blunted. We coordinate with your prescribing physician to optimize timing and discuss whether post-vaccination serologic confirmation is appropriate for your situation.

Pregnancy

Safety data for TICOVAC in pregnancy are limited. Vaccination is generally deferred. If travel to a high-risk endemic area during tick season is unavoidable, the potential benefit may outweigh theoretical risk after careful discussion. Strict tick-avoidance measures are essential for pregnant travelers regardless.

Children Aged 1 and Older

TICOVAC Junior is approved for ages 1 through 15. Children hiking, camping, or living in endemic areas are at genuine risk. The pediatric dose and schedule differ from the adult formulation. We discuss the full picture at your family consultation.

Expats and Long-Stay Travelers

Travelers living or working in endemic regions for months or years benefit most from the complete 3-dose primary series and subsequent boosters every 3 years. We help you plan the full multi-year schedule and track your booster timing so nothing falls through the cracks.

Combination Travel Itineraries

Many Phoenix travelers combine TBE-endemic destinations with others requiring hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, or other vaccines. We coordinate your full vaccine schedule in a single consultation, sequencing doses to maximize protection across your entire itinerary.

EFFECTIVENESS

Highly Effective After the Complete Series

Published clinical trial and epidemiological data from Austria, Germany, and other endemic countries consistently show that a complete 3-dose primary series achieves 95 to 99 percent protection against TBE in immunocompetent adults.

After two doses on the standard schedule, seroconversion rates reach approximately 90 percent or higher in healthy adults. Real-world data from Austria, where TBE vaccination rates exceed 85 percent of the population, show a dramatic reduction in disease incidence following widespread immunization programs beginning in the 1970s and 1980s.

TICOVAC is based on the European subtype and provides broad cross-protection across all three major subtypes, including the Siberian and Far Eastern strains circulating in Russia and Asia.

Immunity wanes over time. Boosters are recommended every 3 years for travelers with continued or repeated exposure to endemic areas. For travelers over 60, immunity may wane faster, making the 3-year booster interval especially important.

99%

Full Series
3-dose efficacy

3

Doses
For complete protection

3-year booster interval

For travelers with continued or repeated exposure to endemic areas

COST AND INSURANCE

What to Expect at Checkout

Travel vaccines are generally not covered by commercial health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid because they’re considered elective rather than medically necessary. That pattern is industry-wide.

At Your Appointment

You’ll be charged for:

  • Travel health consultation (itinerary-based risk assessment)
  • Each dose of TICOVAC administered
  • Any other vaccines or prescriptions you elect

Pricing varies based on services and number of doses. Call (480) 435-2774 for current pricing. We’re transparent so there are no surprises at checkout.

What to Ask Your Insurer

Before your appointment, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

  • Does my plan cover travel vaccines, including TBE?
  • What CPT code do I submit? TICOVAC typically uses an unlisted vaccine code. Verify the current code with your insurer
  • Do I need pre-authorization?
  • Can I apply HSA or FSA funds?

For Reimbursement

After your appointment, we provide a detailed itemized receipt with:

  • CPT codes
  • Diagnosis codes
  • Clinician’s NPI
  • Itemized line items

Reimbursement outcome is between you and your insurer.

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects and Safety

TICOVAC has an excellent safety record based on decades of widespread use in European endemic countries and extensive clinical trial data. The vaccine is inactivated and cannot cause TBE infection.

COMMON. Up to 45%

Mild and Self-Limited

  • Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site (most common, resolves within 1 to 3 days)
  • Fatigue, headache, or low-grade fever (typically within 24 to 48 hours)
  • Muscle aches and general flu-like symptoms
  • Nausea (less common)

Local reactions are more common after the first dose. Systemic symptoms are more common in adults aged 50 and older after the first dose.

UNCOMMON. Less than 3%

Moderate Reactions

A small number of recipients experience higher fever (above 38 degrees C), pronounced fatigue, or more significant injection-site reactions that limit daily activities for 1 to 2 days. These are self-limited and do not indicate a serious adverse event.

Lymph node swelling near the injection site has been reported. Rash is uncommon but reported in post-marketing surveillance.

RARE

Serious Adverse Events

Serious adverse events are rare. Anaphylaxis has been reported and is managed with standard emergency protocols. We observe all patients for a period after injection.

Post-marketing reports include rare cases of neurological events. A causal relationship has not been established. No deaths attributable to TICOVAC have been documented in published clinical trial data.

Note on older adults: Adults aged 50 and older are more likely to experience fever and systemic reactions after the first dose. These reactions are generally mild and resolve within 48 hours. The benefit of vaccination far outweighs the discomfort of temporary side effects for travelers heading to endemic forested areas.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

After Your TBE Vaccination

1

Complete Your Series

One dose is a start, not full protection. Keep your appointment reminders for doses 2 and 3. After completing the series you’ll have the highest available protection. We track your schedule and send reminders.

2

Mild Symptoms

Soreness, fatigue, or low-grade fever in the 24 to 48 hours after each dose is normal and expected. Rest and acetaminophen or ibuprofen help. Call us if symptoms are severe, persist beyond 3 days, or include difficulty breathing.

3

Tick Avoidance Matters Too

The vaccine is not 100 percent protective. Combine it with tick-avoidance measures: long sleeves, DEET or permethrin on clothing, staying on marked trails, and daily tick checks after outdoor activities. Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

4

Booster Planning

After your primary series is complete, set a reminder for a booster in 3 years if you plan to return to endemic areas. For travelers over 60, keeping to the 3-year interval is especially important as immunity may wane faster with age.

WHY A TRAVEL CLINIC

TravelBug vs. Primary Care or Pharmacy

TICOVAC is not stocked at most retail pharmacies and is not typically available at primary care offices. Here’s how we compare to the alternatives.

TravelBug Health

  • Stocks TICOVAC (TBE vaccine series)
  • Itinerary-based risk consultation by travel medicine specialists
  • Accelerated schedule assessment for last-minute travelers
  • Same-day or next-day appointments often available
  • Coordinates full panel of travel vaccines
  • Dose-series tracking and booster reminders

PCP or Retail Pharmacy

  • Rarely stocks TICOVAC
  • Limited or general consultation only
  • Accelerated schedule not typically assessed
  • Variable scheduling
  • Limited stock of travel-specific vaccines
  • No dose-series tracking or booster reminders

SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINATION

TravelBug Health in Scottsdale

We’re a travel medicine clinic in the heart of the Phoenix metro, serving travelers heading to Europe, Russia, and Asia. We stock TICOVAC and can coordinate your full TBE series alongside any other vaccines your itinerary requires. No referral needed.

TravelBug Health Travel Clinic
8603 E Royal Palm Rd, Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Phone: (480) 435-2774
Email: team@travelbughealth.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (by appointment)

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Just minutes from across the Valley

North Scottsdale near the 101 and Shea Blvd:

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. Call us with your itinerary and travel dates and we’ll find a time that works for your schedule.

QUESTIONS TRAVELERS ASK

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your specific itinerary and activities. Urban sightseeing in cities like Paris, Rome, or London carries no TBE risk. If your trip includes hiking, camping, cycling, or rural stays in forested areas of Central or Eastern Europe (Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Switzerland, and others), TBE vaccination is recommended by the CDC. Call us with your itinerary and we’ll give you a straightforward recommendation.

The full primary series is 3 doses. For adults on the standard schedule, dose 2 follows 1 to 3 months after dose 1, and dose 3 follows 5 to 12 months after dose 2. An accelerated schedule (doses 1 and 2 spaced 14 days apart) is available when travel is imminent. Dose 3 is then given 5 to 12 months later to complete the series. After your primary series, a booster every 3 years maintains protection for continued exposure.

TICOVAC (the TBE vaccine available in the United States) is not typically stocked at retail pharmacies. It requires refrigeration, specialized handling, and a travel medicine consultation to ensure it’s appropriate for your itinerary and health history. TravelBug Health in Scottsdale stocks TICOVAC and can administer it during your consultation. Call (480) 435-2774 to schedule.

After the complete 3-dose primary series, protection is robust but not permanent. Boosters are recommended every 3 years for travelers with continued or repeated exposure to endemic areas. Travelers over 60 may experience faster waning immunity and should adhere strictly to the 3-year booster interval.

Yes. TICOVAC has been used for decades in Austria, Germany, and other European endemic countries with an excellent safety record. It is an inactivated (killed) virus vaccine, meaning it cannot cause TBE infection. Common side effects include injection-site soreness and temporary fatigue or mild fever, particularly after the first dose. Serious adverse events are rare.

The TBE vaccine available in the United States is TICOVAC, manufactured by Pfizer. It was FDA-approved in August 2021. There is an adult formulation (for ages 16 and older) and a pediatric formulation called TICOVAC Junior (for ages 1 through 15). Both are available at TravelBug Health.

No. TBE and Lyme disease are both transmitted by tick bites but are caused by entirely different pathogens. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is treatable with antibiotics. TBE is caused by a flavivirus and has no specific antiviral treatment. There is no vaccine for Lyme disease currently available in the United States, but there is one for TBE.

Yes, the CDC recommends it. Austria and southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg) have some of the highest TBE rates in Europe. Austria’s national vaccination coverage exceeds 85 percent of its own population for this reason. Trails in the Austrian Alps, the Vienna Woods, and forested areas throughout southern Germany carry real tick exposure risk during April through November. Plan to start your series at least 6 weeks before departure.

Yes, in rare cases. TBE virus can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk or cheese from infected goats, sheep, or cows in endemic areas. Outbreaks linked to raw dairy have been documented. Avoiding unpasteurized dairy products in TBE-endemic regions is an important precaution even for vaccinated travelers, but especially for those who have not been vaccinated.

No. Tick-avoidance measures (DEET, permethrin, long sleeves, tick checks) reduce the probability of tick attachment but cannot eliminate it, especially during extended outdoor activities in endemic areas. A single tick bite can transmit TBE. The vaccine and avoidance measures work best together. For travelers doing significant outdoor activity in endemic areas, vaccination is strongly recommended regardless of repellent use.

Most commercial health insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid do not cover travel vaccines, including TBE vaccination. Some plans may offer partial reimbursement with appropriate CPT and diagnosis codes. HSA and FSA funds can generally be applied. We provide itemized receipts with all codes needed to submit a claim.

Start as early as possible. Ideally, begin the series at least 6 weeks before departure so that doses 1 and 2 are complete before you arrive in an endemic area. If you have enough lead time (6 months or more), you can complete the full 3-dose primary series before departure. Call us as soon as your travel plans are set.

Generally yes. Unlike the yellow fever vaccine, TICOVAC is an inactivated vaccine, which means it can usually be given to immunocompromised patients including those on biologics, chemotherapy, or after organ transplant. However, immune response may be reduced. We coordinate with your prescribing physician to time vaccination appropriately and discuss whether serologic testing is warranted after the series.

Yes. TBE is endemic across Siberia and the Russian Far East, the very region traversed by the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Siberian subtype of TBE virus circulates in this region and carries a higher mortality rate than the European subtype. Vaccination is strongly recommended for Trans-Siberian travelers, especially those planning stops in forested areas or rural towns along the route.

  • A detailed travel itinerary (countries, regions, dates, and planned activities)
  • Any prior immunization records
  • A current medication list (especially immunosuppressants or biologics)
  • Your insurance card if you plan to submit for reimbursement
  • Documentation of any prior severe allergic reactions to vaccines

Pricing depends on the number of doses administered and the scope of your consultation. Because TBE requires a 3-dose primary series, you should budget for multiple visits. Call (480) 435-2774 for current per-dose pricing. We are transparent about costs so there are no surprises at checkout.

Ready to Travel With Confidence?

Schedule Your Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccination

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments often available. We handle the consultation, the vaccine series, and the itinerary planning. All in one place.

Call (480) 435-2774 Book Online