Last-Minute TBE Vaccine: the Accelerated Schedule
Travelling soon and worried you have left the TBE vaccine too late? Adults can use an accelerated schedule that brings the first two doses just two weeks apart.
Travelling soon and worried you have left the TBE vaccine too late? Adults can use an accelerated schedule that brings the first two doses just two weeks apart. Here is how it works, and how to book in Sutton.
It happens often. A walking or camping trip is booked, and only then does tick-borne encephalitis come onto the radar, with the standard course looking too slow to finish in time. The good news is that for adults there is a faster route. This guide explains the accelerated schedule, what protection to expect, and what to do when your departure is close. For the wider picture, see our main guide to the TBE vaccine in Sutton.
Standard schedule versus accelerated schedule
The standard adult course is three doses, as explained in our TBE vaccine guide for Sutton. The second follows the first by one to three months, and the third comes five to twelve months later, giving around three years of protection. That is ideal when you plan well ahead, but it does not suit a trip that is only weeks away.
The accelerated schedule is designed for adults aged 16 and over who are short on time. The first two doses are given just two weeks apart, and good protection follows about two weeks after the second dose. You then complete the course with a third dose five to twelve months later to get the longer-lasting protection.
How much time do you really need?
Working back from your departure, the accelerated route needs the two weeks between the first and second doses, then about two more weeks for protection to build after the second. In practice that means starting roughly a month before you could be exposed. The primary course should be completed at least a week before potential exposure, so the sooner you come in, the better your chances of being covered in time.
If your trip is closer than that, it is still worth speaking to us. We can talk through where you stand, the value of even a partial course, and the tick-bite precautions that matter most, which we cover in our guide to the TBE vaccine for hikers and campers.
A note on stock
TicoVac has been in short supply across the UK during 2026, which makes early contact even more important for last-minute travellers. Before you count on an appointment, call us on 020 8643 6787 so we can check current availability and, if stock is limited, prioritise getting you the doses that matter most before you travel.
Getting your last-minute TBE vaccine in Sutton
At Gaiger Pharmacy we offer TBE vaccination with TicoVac at £75 a dose through our travel clinic, including the accelerated schedule for adults. There is no GP referral and no waiting list. Call us on 020 8643 6787 to check stock and book, or read the full detail in our main TBE vaccine guide.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I be protected with the accelerated schedule?
Good protection typically follows about two weeks after the second dose, and the two doses are two weeks apart, so plan for roughly a month from your first appointment.
Is the accelerated schedule available for children?
No. The accelerated schedule is for adults aged 16 and over. Children follow the standard schedule, so plan earlier if you are travelling as a family.
Do I still need a third dose after the accelerated course?
Yes, to get the longer-lasting protection. The third dose is given five to twelve months after the second, and completes the course.
My trip is in under two weeks. Is it worth it?
Speak to us. We will be honest about what protection is realistic, and make sure you have strong tick-bite precautions in place either way.
