Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

About Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Japanese encephalitis vaccines were first developed in Japan in 1954 using mouse brain derived virus. Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito borne viral disease found throughout Asia. It causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal in up to about 30 percent of severe cases. Many survivors have lasting neurological damage. The mouse brain derived vaccine was used for decades but caused rare adverse events. Modern vaccines include IXIARO, a Vero cell derived inactivated vaccine licensed in the US in 2009, and JE CV, a live attenuated vaccine used in Asia. Approximately 3 billion people live in areas where Japanese encephalitis occurs. WHO policy supports vaccination programmes in endemic areas. Vaccination campaigns in China, India, and other countries have dramatically reduced cases.