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Getting vaccinated

What you should know

Japanese Encephalitis

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

This serious viral infection causes severe flu-like illness with prominent headache, neck stiffness, confusion and can lead to loss of consciousness. There is currently no cure for the disease and people who have contacted the virus, can either recover spontaneously, develop long term brain damage or even die.

Japanese Encephalitis is spread mostly in rural areas where conditions favour breeding of mosquito that carries the virus, such as in South East Asia, China, Korea, Northern India and Nepal. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is heavily advised when travelling to these destinations.

Prevention

The main prevention is by booking a Japanese encephalitis vaccination prior to travel and avoiding mosquito bites with repellents and appropriate clothing.

For travellers spending a month or more in rural areas or for those looking to live more permanently in urban areas where the disease is prevalent, Japanese encephalitis vaccination is recommended. A multidose vaccination program is available at Travel Vaccination Health Care, to be completed at least 10 days before travel.

This gives >95% protection and is recommended for all travellers over 1 year of age.

Please note that some travellers experience a reaction to the vaccine. This can include a sore arm, a slight temperate or general aches and pains.

Approximately 1% of patients have a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine, so all patients are requested to remain present for observation for 30 minutes after immunisation.

Alcohol is not to be consumed for 48 hours after vaccination.

*This information is to be used as a guide only. Medical advice is recommended to individuals depending on their medical history, previous vaccination history and their itinerary.