Japanese encephalitis vaccine is used to prevent infections caused by Japanese encephalitis virus.
Japanese encephalitis is an infection that is spread through mosquito bites.
This medicine helps protect travelers to an area where there is a risk of Japanese encephalitis infection.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle) or subcutaneously (under the skin).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Alert your doctor if you have severely weak immune system e.g. HIV infection, as Japanese encephalitis vaccine may not be suitable for you when given subcutaneously.
Do not use Japanese encephalitis vaccine subcutaneously if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- bleeding disorder
- weak immune system
- history of fits or seizures due to fever
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus may vary for a particular area. Use is not recommended for short term travelers (< 30 days) who will not be outside of an urban area or when the visit is outside of a well-defined Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine may cause any of the following side effects: fever, dizziness, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, cough, difficult breathing, nasal congestion, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, and injection site reactions e.g. pain, tenderness, redness or swelling.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes
- breathlessness
- swollen mouth or eyes
Brief fainting spells can happen after vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- high-dose inflammatory medicine e.g. prednisone
- medicine for cancer e.g. venetoclax
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8 °C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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