Vaccination offers the most effective protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Several inactivated TBE vaccines have received national regulatory approval. FSME-IMMUN (marketed as TICOVAC in the United States) and Encepur are licensed in multiple European countries, with FSME-IMMUN/TICOVAC also approved in the United States. Three additional vaccines—TBE-Moscow, EnceVir and Klesch-E-Vac—are licensed in the Russian Federation, while SenTaiBao is licensed in China. None of these vaccines are WHO prequalified. The vaccines have demonstrated immunogenicity and generally favourable safety profiles, although the extent of clinical safety and effectiveness evidence varies between products.

In highly endemic areas, WHO recommends vaccination for all eligible age groups, including children from 1 year of age, depending on the vaccine used. In areas of moderate or low endemicity, vaccination should target individuals at increased risk of exposure.

Ticks can also transmit Borrelia bacteria, which cause Lyme borreliosis. TBE vaccination does not protect against Lyme borreliosis, which can be treated with appropriate antibiotics. Measures to prevent tick bites remain important, even among vaccinated individuals.