TBE vaccinations for Sweden?

[IsithormonesoramIamadcow]

I've just found out that we are going to an area of Sweden with a risk of Tick Bourne encephalitis. Apparently there is a vaccine but we are running out of time to get it (you need several doses).

Does anyone have an info? We (DH, me and 2 DCs 2 and 4) are not camping but will be staying in a semi rural/ wooded area. Has anyone had the vaccine?

I saw something online that it is mainly recommended for campers/forestry workers so wondering if it's necessary for a week? Each dose is 70 and 3 are needed so would be £850 for all of us. Not something we want to do if it's not necesssary?

The 'fit for travel' (NHS site) states consider TBE, but mainly for warmer months and especially forestry workers, campers or hikers. With travel vaccinations there are generally no absolutes unless a certificate is mandatory, it's about a risk assessment of an individual, their medical history and their planned itinery etc. You can either decide yourself or take the advice following a risk assessment at a travel clinic ( and I trust a travel clinic would give reasonable advice and not try to sell you something you don't really need).

Thanks, I will give them a call tomorrow

No you don't need it.It's not a routine vacvination in Sweden.

Sorry, it's NOT a routine vacvination in Sweden. You don't need it for a hoiliday. Just learn how to remove ticks safely, although you're highly unlikely to get one.

I live in an area with this. It's one of those recommended but not essential. The gist (from many threads on my local parenting group!) is this:

If you're not planning to go running through long grass or undergrowth, you probably don't need it. DC may be more susceptible than adults because they are more likely to roll around on grass etc. However - TBE is generally less serious the younger you are, particularly so in younger children than it is in adults. In fact the vaccine isn't even recommended for children under 3 because the risks outweigh the benefits.

TBE can be fatal if untreated but this is rare, and tends to be adults rather than children. It's more likely you'd get Lyme disease from a tick bite, which there's no vaccine for. You should check yourselves and DC daily for ticks (e.g. at bathtime).

Most ticks are just annoying rather than dangerous. If you do see a tick it's safe to remove it (if you know how to do so properly - you can get inexpensive tools for this from amazon or use tweezers) but check the area for a bullseye rash (sign of Lyme) or keep an eye out for flu like symptoms. But 99% of the time, nothing will happen even if you get bitten. The vaccine is generally recommended for families who hike a lot, dog walkers, or young children who go into the forest with kindergarten etc.

You can also reduce your risk of tick bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers.

Here's some NHS info:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/tick-borne-encephalitis/pages/introduction.aspx

Bertie, that's really helpful thank you

The risk is highest for adults over 50 which probably doesn't apply to you.

Not quite but DH isn't far off

I don't agree - in my opinion, you really need the TBE vaccination even for a holiday if you plan to go outdoors, however, if you stay in the city, you might get away with not taking the vaccine. Talked about it with colleagues today (all Swedes) and most people have it and in addition you need to take a repeat vaccination every 5th year (if you live here). I am regularly bitten by tick several times every summer and carry tweezers in my handbag in the summer for prompt removal of any tick that creep up. If you look up "Background Document on Vaccines and Vaccination against Tick" out pops a scientific document, and you can read it and make a so-called informed decision. The thing is, if you don't have it, and catch the disease, it's really bad. It's like an insurance, if you have a fire you're glad to have an insurance, but if you don't have a fire, it's money out of the window.

I would never have any vaccine unless I had to, especially if it contained Mercury or aluminium or formaldehyde. I'd take my chances with the ticks.

Sweden has a population of 10 million and about 200 people get TBE every year.

That is true, it is probably true. And in addition most cases are in on the east side more specifically around Stockholm (in the Stockholm county) and especially toward the coastline. In any case, whatever you decide to do, you should get the vaccine now and not later as it takes time for the vaccine to work. For me personally it was a no-brainer as I'm in the middle of the risk zone (of TBE that is) and am regularly bitten by ticks every year (I have for instance had tick-induced borreliosis several times.)

Buy some wart spray. It immobilises the rock and you can remove it safely. Or take a tick removal kit from a vets with you. Check everyone regularly.

You can buy a tick removal kit in any pharmacy, they're sold everywhere so you don't have to take one with you. It's not actually a "kit" but a piece of plastic that sort of strangles the tick when you pull it away...

"Check everyone regularly" means that you check your children before they go to bed each day. The TBE doesn't transfer instantly so if you're quick to remove it, there's probably less chance of catching it (or borreliosis for that matter).