TBE cases in Sweden have increased significantly this year. As of July 20, 213 people have been infected, compared with 111 and 138 cases during the same period in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The disease, which is spread through tick bites, can cause severe neurological symptoms, including encephalitis.
Ulrika Marking, an infectious disease physician at the Swedish Public Health Agency, says those affected risk, among other things, personality changes, confusion, motor impairments and losing the ability to walk.
You can even become unconscious. Sometimes you get residual symptoms that last for many years, or even a lifetime.
Vaccine recommended
All people at risk of tick bites in areas where the incidence of TBE is high or moderate are recommended to take the vaccine, according to the Public Health Agency. The most exposed regions include Sörmland, Uppsala, Värmland and Västmanland. The virus is also widespread in the southern parts of the country and is reported further north, although with a smaller spread and thus a lower risk of infection.
For vaccination, people up to the age of 50 should take two doses one to three months apart and a booster dose after one year. After that, the first booster dose comes after three years, and then every ten years.
For those over 50, or who have a weakened immune system, three doses are required, spaced a few months apart. Then another dose a year later, and then a booster dose. The first booster dose is taken after three years, and then a booster dose should be given every five years.
The immune system's memory is not as strong from the basic vaccination when you are over 50, so it needs to be topped up more frequently for those who start getting vaccinated after 50, says Ulrika Marking.
For those who do not take their booster dose on time, protection decreases, but once they take it, they are back to the high levels again, she adds.
Free for some children
In most cases, the TBE vaccine costs money. The price differs between regions and can range from free for children to 450 SEK per dose. For adults, the price is estimated to be 350–550 SEK per dose.
Sörmland, Uppsala and Kronoberg have free vaccines for children and young people, thanks to subsidies.
TBE vaccine is currently not a relevant addition to the general vaccination program for children, according to Marking.
This requires a decision from the government, as these programs are funded by the state.
