Encephalitis Vaccine

Indications

Encephalitis Vaccine is used for active immunisation against Japanese encephalitis. It can be given to adults, adolescents, children and infants from 2 months of age. Doctors should consider Encephalitis Vaccine for people who may be exposed to the infection through travel or because of their work.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Doctors and scientists don't fully understand how Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccines work. Animal studies show that the Encephalitis Vaccine prompts the immune system to make antibodies against the Japanese encephalitis virus, and these antibodies most often protect against the disease. Researchers also ran challenge studies in mice treated with human Encephalitis Vaccine antisera. Almost all the mice with a Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test titre of at least 1:10 were protected from a lethal Japanese encephalitis virus challenge.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy: There's only a limited amount of data on the use of Encephalitis Vaccine in pregnant women. Animal studies have shown some findings, but it is unclear whether they matter clinically. As a precaution, Encephalitis Vaccine should be avoided during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether Encephalitis Vaccine passes into human milk. No effects are expected on the breastfed newborn or infant, because the systemic exposure of the breast-feeding woman to the vaccine is negligible. Still, since there are no data, and as a precaution, the vaccine should be avoided during lactation.

Fertility: A study in rats did not show any vaccine-related effects on female reproduction, foetal weight, survival or development of the offspring.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Adults aged 18 to 65 years get the primary vaccination series of two separate doses of Encephalitis Vaccine, 0.5 ml each. On the conventional schedule, the first dose is given on Day 0 and the second dose 28 days after the first. There is also a rapid schedule for people aged 18 to 65 years. The first dose is given on Day 0 and the second dose 7 days after the first. With either schedule, the primary immunisation should be finished at least one week before any likely exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). People who have had their first dose of Encephalitis Vaccine should complete the 2-dose primary course with Encephalitis Vaccine. If the two injections are not completed, full protection against the disease might not be achieved. There is data showing that a second injection given up to 11 months after the first dose results in high seroconversion rates. Booster dose: A booster (third) dose should be given within the second year after primary immunisation, that is 12 to 24 months later, before any likely re-exposure to JEV. People at continuous risk of Japanese encephalitis, such as laboratory personnel or people living in endemic areas, should receive the booster at month 12 after primary immunisation. Long-term seroprotection data after a first booster given 12 to 24 months after primary immunisation suggest that a second booster should be given 10 years after the first booster, before any likely exposure to JEV. Elderly (over 65 years of age): The primary series is two separate doses of 0.5 ml each, on the conventional schedule. The first dose is given on Day 0 and the second dose 28 days after the first. Pediatric population: Children and adolescents from 3 years to under 18 years of age: The primary series is two separate doses of 0.5 ml. The first dose is given on Day 0 and the second dose 28 days after the first. Children from 2 months to under 3 years of age: The primary series is two separate doses of 0.25 ml. The first dose is given on Day 0 and the second dose 28 days after the first.