Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)
TBE occurs in Scandinavia, Western and Central Europe and countries of the former USSR, mainly in rural forested areas. Risk is greatest from April to August. Immunization is recommended only for travellers who will spend extensive time outdoors in rural areas. The vaccine, which is not approved in the US, is usually given in 3 doses over 9-12 months, but can be given over as few as 2 or 3 weeks, and is available in Europe (Encepur - Chiron; FSME-Immune Inject - Baxter AG). It can be obtained in Canada through the Emergency Drug Release Program by contacting the Special Access Programme, Health Protection Branch.