Travel Health Service Japanese Encephalitis

Vaccine and prophylaxis

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination

Vaccination schedule

Two types of Japanese encephalitis vaccines are provided in travel health centres, subject to supply availability –

Inactivated vaccine – This vaccine is registered for use in travellers aged 2 months and above. The primary immunization schedule is 2 doses administered on days 0 and 28. The primary immunization should be completed at least 1 week before travel.

Live attenuated vaccine – This vaccine is approved for use in individuals 9 months of age and above. The primary immunization schedule is 1 dose administered at least 14 days before travel in adults and at least 28 days before travel in children.

Recommendations

Japanese encephalitis vaccination is recommended for travellers who plan to stay one month or longer in Japanese encephalitis-endemic countries, and for short-term (less than one month) travellers if they plan to have significant extensive outdoor or night-time exposure in rural areas during the transmission season.

Adverse reactions

They mainly consist of local reactions showing varying degrees of induration, redness and tenderness, and systemic reactions such as evidenced by chills, headache and fever.

Contraindications

Inactivated vaccine – Include the following:

  • allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of the vaccine component

  • acute severe febrile conditions

Live attenuated vaccine – Include the following:

  • history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or after previous administration of the vaccine

  • acute disease or fever

  • congenital or acquired immune deficiency

  • pregnancy and breastfeeding

Precautions

Inactivated vaccine – Include the following:

  • persons with immunodeficiency

  • persons with bleeding disorders

  • persons with known allergies
There are limited data from the use of this vaccine in pregnant or breastfeeding women. As a precautionary measure, the use of this vaccine should be avoided.

Live attenuated vaccine – Include the following:

  • patients following treatment with high doses of systemic steroids given for 14 days or more
  • Received another live vaccine in previous 4 weeks.