VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

What You Need to Know

1 Why get vaccinated?

Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine can prevent 

Japanese encephalitis.

 Japanese encephalitis 

occurs mainly in many 

parts of Asia and 

the Western Pacific, 

particularly in rural 

areas.

 It is spread through the bite of 

an infected mosquito. It does 

not spread from person to 

person.

 Risk is very low for most travelers. It is 

higher for people living in areas where the 

disease is common, or for people traveling there 

for long periods of time.

 Most people infected with JE virus don’t have any 

symptoms. Others might have symptoms as mild as 

a fever and headache, or as serious as encephalitis 

(swelling of the brain).

 A person with encephalitis can experience fever, 

neck stiffness, seizures, and coma. About 1 person 

in 4 with encephalitis dies. Up to half of those who 

don’t die have permanent disability (for example, 

brain damage).

 It is believed that infection in a pregnant woman 

could harm her unborn baby.

2 JE vaccine

Japanese encephalitis vaccine is approved for people 

2 months of age and older.

It is recommended for people who:

 Plan to live in a country where JE occurs,

 Plan to visit a country where JE occurs for long 

periods (e.g., one month or more), or

 Frequently travel to countries where JE occurs.

It should also be considered for travelers spending 

less than one month in a country where JE occurs, 

if they:

 Will visit rural areas and have an increased risk for 

mosquito bites,

 Are not sure of their travel plans.

Many laboratory workers at risk for exposure to JE 

virus will also require vaccination.

The vaccine is given as a 2-dose series. A booster 

dose is recommended after a year for people who 

remain at risk.

NOTE: The best way to prevent JE is to avoid 

mosquito bites. Your health care provider can 

advise you.

3 Talk with your health care 

provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of JE vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening 

allergies.

 Is pregnant. Pregnant women should usually not 

get JE vaccine.

 Will be traveling for fewer than 30 days and only 

traveling to urban areas. You might not need the 

vaccine.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone JE vaccination to a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

JE vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.
Office use only

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling where the 

shot was given are common after JE vaccine.

 Fever sometimes happens (more often in children).

 Headache or muscle aches can occur (mainly in 

adults).

Studies have shown that severe reactions to JE 

vaccine are very rare.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5 What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not 

give medical advice.

6 How can I learn more?

 Ask your healthcare provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s JE website at 

www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/

8/15/2019 | 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

Vaccine Information Statement

Japanese Encephalitis 

Vaccine