Does my country need JE vaccine? (module 1)

Japanese encephalitis (JE), a viral infection that causes a type of “brain fever,” is transmitted to

humans by mosquitoes. Because these mosquitoes usually live in areas with standing water,

such as rice fields, and the pigs and birds that are part of the JE transmission cycle are common

in the countryside, people in rural areas are most at risk. It begins like the flu and can progress

to a brain infection, killing up to 30 percent of its victims and leaving up to half of its survivors

with permanent brain damage such as memory loss, impaired cognition, paralysis, seizures, the

inability to speak, and other mental disorders. Providing lifelong care for survivors is a significant

financial strain on families and on government health care systems. Although there is no treatment

to cure JE, several safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent infection. In areas where

JE is recognized as a public health priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends

implementing a one-time JE vaccination campaign focused on the at-risk population followed by

incorporation of JE vaccine into routine immunization.

The modules in this guide are designed to help country decision-makers understand the evidence

around when to consider introducing JE vaccines, the potential benefits, and how to incorporate JE

vaccines into their country’s immunization program. The resources and evidence included focus on

JE vaccines that are WHO-prequalified.