Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease that’s caused by the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)¹.

It is regularly found in parts of Asia and in some places around Australia.

¹Healthdirect, Japanese Encephalitis, accessed 21 March 2023

For people who experience Japanese encephalitis symptoms, they can suffer from permanent injury to the brain and nervous system as well as pass away.

However, only about one in 100 people with Japanese encephalitis will experience symptoms.

Some symptoms include¹:

• Fever

• Headaches

• Neck stiffness

Symptoms appear around five to 15 days after being bitten by a JEV-infected mosquito. Most JE virus infections are asymptomatic.

¹Healthdirect, Japanese Encephalitis, accessed 21 March 2023

Japanese encephalitis is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes¹. Animals, such as pigs, can catch JEV, but they do not transfer the virus to humans.

You cannot catch Japanese encephalitis through contact with infected people or animals as well as by eating meat from an infected animal.

¹Healthdirect, Japanese Encephalitis, accessed 21 March 2023

Your doctor can diagnose you with Japanese encephalitis by asking you about your symptoms and getting a blood test to confirm¹.

Japanese encephalitis is a notifiable disease, which means that a doctor who diagnoses you with Japanese encephalitis needs to report the case to local health authorities so they can take steps to control an outbreak.

¹Healthdirect, Japanese Encephalitis, accessed 21 March 2023

Unfortunately, there is no specific medicine or treatment available to treat Japanese encephalitis¹.

There are some strategies that you can use to relieve your symptoms at home, including:

• Getting plenty of rest

• Drinking enough fluids

If your symptoms are severe, you might need treatment in hospital.

¹Healthdirect, Japanese Encephalitis, accessed 21 March 2023

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is safe, effective and recommended for those who are at higher risk of catching Japanese encephalitis.

However, there is currently limited supply in Australia as there is significant global demand for the vaccine¹.

¹Victorian Department of Health, Japanese encephalitis virus, accessed 21 March 2023

Some common side effects of the vaccine include¹:

• Pain

• Tenderness

• Redness

• Swelling where the vaccine was given

• Fever in children

• Headaches or muscle aches in adults

¹Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines, accessed 21 March 2023

Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are recommended for people at risk of exposure to the virus as advised by your local public health authority¹.

¹Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines, accessed 21 March 2023

The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is not funded under the National Immunisation Program, which means that it is not free.

The vaccine may be free in your state, but this depends on whether you live in an eligible Local Government Area (LGA) and spend at least four days per day outdoors most days.

Find out more information about getting a Japanese encephalitis vaccine by state below:

• NSW

• VIC

• QLD

• SA

• WA

• ACT

• NT

• TAS