Do I need a TBE (tick borne encephalitis) Jab if I am going to Germany and Austria?
For your own safety, I suggest that yes, have your TEB vaccine.
Based on this site, http://ww.masta-travel-health.com/disease/tickborneencephalitis
Tick borne encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by ticks. A tick can get onto your clothes or skin when you brush past plants, such as long grass, shrubs and bushes. The tick embeds its mouthparts into the skin, but may go unnoticed because anaesthetic in its saliva means the bite doesn’t hurt. If an infected tick bites, the encephalitis virus can pass into the bloodstream. Rarely, people also get tick borne encephalitis from eating or drinking infected, unpasteurised dairy products.
So, ideally get vaccinated at least 3-4 weeks before you travel.
I don’t know whether you need one or not but if you can get one and the vaccine is effective then I would personally get it. I got Lyme disease from a tick bite and it’s no fun, was very ill for 6 years with it. I know TBE is different and more dangerous but ticks in general are nasty, they can carry many different infections. Make sure you keep checking yourself over every time you’ve been out gardening or working with animals – ticks like to hide in difficult to see places like armpits, behind knees, etc. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the symptoms of tick borne diseases, wear appropriate clothing and maybe considering using DEET – you should be OK.
