Vaccination · Tick-borne encephalitis
Tick vaccine (TBE) at our pharmacy in Geneva
Protect yourself against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE, FSME in Switzerland) with a vaccination at the pharmacy, without a prescription from age 16.
In short
You can get the tick vaccine in Geneva at Pharmacie de Cologny without a doctor’s prescription from age 16.
- It protects against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE, called FSME in Switzerland), recommended throughout Switzerland except Ticino, including Geneva since 2024.
- Full protection requires three doses, then a booster every 10 years.
Why get the tick vaccine in Geneva?
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection of the brain and its membranes, transmitted by tick bites. Most infections cause no or mild symptoms, but some people develop meningitis or encephalitis, sometimes with lasting after-effects. There is no specific treatment: vaccination is the only effective protection.
For many years Geneva was one of the few cantons without a TBE risk. That changed in 2024: after infections in people who had not left the canton, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) added Geneva to the list of TBE risk areas. Vaccination is now recommended for children from age 3 and adults who live in or stay temporarily in a risk area and may be exposed to ticks: walks in the woods around Cologny and Jussy, running along the Seymaz, gardening, camping or weekends in the Jura and the Alps.
Lyme disease is different.
Ticks also transmit Lyme disease (borreliosis), a bacterial infection for which there is no vaccine. The TBE vaccine does not protect against it, so checking your skin after outdoor activities and removing ticks quickly remains essential.
How many doses and when?
Two TBE vaccines are authorised in Switzerland, FSME-Immun CC and Encepur N. Their schedules differ slightly:
| Dose | FSME-Immun CC | Encepur N |
|---|---|---|
| 1st dose | Day 0 | Day 0 |
| 2nd dose | 1 to 3 months later (14 days for faster protection) | 1 to 3 months later (14 days for faster protection) |
| 3rd dose | 5 to 12 months after the 2nd | 9 to 12 months after the 2nd |
| Booster | One dose every 10 years if the risk persists | One dose every 10 years if the risk persists |
The best time to start is in winter or early spring, so that you are protected by the time ticks become active (roughly March to November). But it is never too late: according to the recommendations, two doses already protect you for the current season. If you have missed a dose or your last booster was long ago, there is usually no need to start again; bring your vaccination record and we will tell you what you need.
How much does it cost and is it reimbursed?
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| TBE vaccination at the pharmacy (vaccine and injection) | On request |
| Vaccination consultation (record check, schedule) | On request |
TBE vaccination is a recommended vaccination: when prescribed by a doctor, basic insurance (LAMal) covers the vaccine, without deductible since 1 January 2026 but with the 10% co-payment. A vaccination given at the pharmacy without a medical prescription, however, is currently paid by you. From 1 January 2027, basic insurance is due to cover vaccinations given to adults at pharmacies, both the vaccine and the injection (TBE included); the practical details are still being finalised. Some supplementary policies already contribute, and employers pay for workers exposed to ticks at work.
What to expect on the day
- Bring your vaccination record or a photo of it, even if it is from another country.
- Tell us if you are pregnant, have a fever, an allergy or a weakened immune system.
- The injection is given in the upper arm; you then wait about 15 minutes at the pharmacy.
- A sore arm, tiredness or a slight temperature for a day or two are common and harmless.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a tick vaccine in Geneva without seeing a doctor?
At pharmacies offering vaccination, such as Pharmacie de Cologny at Place du Manoir 20. Pharmacists trained in vaccination can give the TBE vaccine without a prescription to anyone aged 16 or over.
Is the tick vaccine recommended in Geneva now?
Yes. Since 2024, the FOPH has included the canton of Geneva among TBE risk areas, after infections were acquired locally. Vaccination is recommended for people from age 3 who may be exposed to ticks.
How long does the TBE vaccine protect?
After the three-dose primary series, protection lasts about 10 years, after which a single booster dose is recommended if you remain exposed.
Can my child have the tick vaccine at the pharmacy?
Only from the age of 16. Children from age 3 are vaccinated by their paediatrician, who uses the children’s versions of the vaccine.
Does the tick vaccine protect against Lyme disease?
No. The vaccine only protects against tick-borne encephalitis. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection for which no vaccine is authorised: check your skin after outings and see a doctor if a red ring spreads around a bite.
Pharmacie de Cologny
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