Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine Health Article

Generic name(s):

Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine

Brand name(s):

Je-Vax

What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is given in a series of 3 shots. The booster shots are usually given 7 days and 2 weeks to 1 month after the first shot. Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Japanese encephalitis vaccine is for use in adults and children who are at least 12 months old.

This vaccine is recommended for people who plan to spend 30 days or longer in areas where Japanese encephalitis is known to exist, or where an epidemic has recently occurred. The vaccine should also be given to people who will spend any amount of time in rural areas where Japanese encephalitis is endemic, or those who are otherwise at high risk of coming into contact with the virus.

You should receive the vaccine and all booster doses at least 10 days prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.

Not everyone who travels to Asia needs to receive a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Follow your doctor instructions or the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to Japanese encephalitis virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.

Becoming infected with Japanese encephalitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease caused by a virus. It is the leading cause of viral encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in Asia. Encephalitis is an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. This infection often causes only mild symptoms, but prolonged swelling of the brain can cause permanent brain damage or death.

Japanese encephalitis is carried and spread by mosquitos.

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and children who are at least 12 months old.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

This vaccine is recommended for people who plan to spend 30 days or longer in areas where Japanese encephalitis is known to exist, or where an epidemic has recently occurred. The vaccine should also be given to people who will spend any amount of time in rural areas where Japanese encephalitis is endemic, or those who are otherwise at high risk of coming into contact with the virus.

You should receive this vaccine and all booster shots at least 10 days prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.

Not everyone who travels to Asia needs to receive a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Follow your doctor instructions or the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to Japanese encephalitis virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.

Like any vaccine, the Japanese encephalitis vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.