JAPANESEENCEPHALITIS VIRUS VACCINE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
Description
Japanese encephalitis (in-cef-a-LY-tis) virus vaccine is animmunizing agent used to help prevent infection by the Japanese encephalitisvirus. Japanese encephalitis is caused by the bite of a mosquito that livesin certain parts of Asia. The vaccine works by causing your body to produceits own protection (antibodies) against the virus.
This vaccine is available only from your doctor or other authorized healthcare professional, in the following dosage form:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Receiving This Vaccine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of receiving the medicine mustbe weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine, the following should beconsidered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to thimerosal, formaldehyde, gelatin, or rodent proteinor brain products. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergicto any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether this vaccine passes intobreast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are receivingthis vaccine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Studies on this vaccine have been done only in adultsand children 1 year of age and older. There is no specific information comparinguse of this vaccine in infants under 1 year of age with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine in the elderly with usein other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different sideeffects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. In addition,immunization may be especially useful for the elderly, since older personsmay have a higher risk of illness following infection with the Japanese encephalitisvirus.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affectthe use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any othermedical problems, especially:
- Hives (history of)?May increase the chance of side effectsof the vaccine
Proper Use of This Vaccine
It is important that you receive 3 doses of the vaccine. If there is not enough time for you to get all 3 doses, you may get2 doses of the vaccine. However, 2 doses of the vaccinewill not protect you as well as 3 doses.
It is important that you receive all 3 doses of thevaccine at least 10 days before you plan on traveling out of the country.There is a chance of side effects that do not show up right away, and, ifthey do occur, they may need medical attention. In addition, the 10 days willgive your body time to produce antibodies against the Japanese encephalitisvirus.
Dosing?The number of doses you receive and the timeallowed between doses of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine will be differentfor different patients.
- For help preventing Japanese encephalitis:
- For injection dosage form:
- Adults and children 1 year of age and older?One dose injectedunder the skin on days zero, seven, and thirty, for a total of three doses.
- Children up to 1 year of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
Precautions After Receiving This Vaccine
Since the vaccine may not protect everyone completely, it is very important that you still use precautions to reduce your chanceof mosquito bites. These include using insect repellents and mosquitonetting, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors during twilightand after dark.
Side Effects of This Vaccine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your doctor about any side effect thatoccurs after a dose of the vaccine, even if the side effect goes awaywithout treatment. Some types of side effects may mean that you should notreceive any more doses of the vaccine.
Although the following side effects usually do not need medical attentionand may go away on their own, their presence may alsomean that more serious side effects are about to occur. Therefore,check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effectsoccur:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 06/27/1995
