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Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (J.E.)
What is Japanese encephalitis (J.E.)?
• J.E. is an inflammation of the brain.
• J.E. is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.
• The virus is spread by the bite of an infected Culex mosquito which usually
bites at night.
• Most infections do not result in obvious illness. Only 0.1% to 5% of people
with J.E. experience symptoms of encephalitis (infection of the lining of the
brain, with sudden onset of headache, high fever, disorientation, coma,
tremors and convulsions).
• 10% to 25% of people with symptoms will die; up to 50% will have
permanent neurological damage.
What does J.E. vaccine contain?
• Inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus strain, aluminum hydroxide, sodium
chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate,
protamine sulphate, formaldehyde.
• J.E. vaccine packaging does not contain latex.
How effective is the vaccine?
• 97% of people are protected one week after the second dose.
How long does the protection last?
• Unknown at this time.
Who should receive the vaccine?
• Most travellers do not require the vaccine. Season, location and duration of
travel will determine who is at the highest risk of disease.
• Vaccine (for travellers 18 years and older) should be considered for:
- travel greater than one month into rural areas and rice paddies
(principle hosts are pigs and birds)
- travel to an area where a known disease outbreak is occurring
- travel to an area where extensive outdoor activity will take
place and the disease is common in the population
Who should not receive the vaccine?
• Anyone who has had an life-threatening allergic reaction to this vaccine or
any of the vaccine components (e.g. thimerosal or rodent protein)
• Pregnant women, except on the advice of a physician.
• Children less than 18 years of age (no available data on safety and
efficacy).
• Use with caution for people with a history of allergic reaction to bee, wasp
or ant stings, drugs or any other cause.
• Use with caution in breastfeeding women.
• People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay immunization.
When should the vaccine be given?
• A series of two immunizations over a 28-day period (day 0 and 28).
• Complete immunization at least 1 week prior to exposure to Japanese
encephalitis.
• May be safely given alone or with other immunizations.
How is the vaccine given?
• By injection into the deltoid muscle.
What might be felt after receiving the
vaccine?
Very Common (10%) or greater:
• soreness, tenderness at injection site
• muscle aches
• headache
Common (between 1% and 10%)
• tiredness, nausea, fever
• redness, swelling, itching, hardness at injection site
• skin rash
Uncommon (between 0.1% and 1%)
• dizziness, migraine, tingling
• chills, fatigue, bleeding/bruising at injection site
• arm pain
• vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• shortness of breath, fast heartbeat
• inflammation of lymph nodes
Call the number below if you have severe or unusual reactions.
For more information contact Public Health Services at (306) 655-4780.
© 2008, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(updated June 23, 2010)
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