Patient Product Information
JENVAC®
Purified Japanese Encephalitis Inactivated Vaccine
Generic name: [Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine]
Read this information with care before getting JENVAC®
1. What is JENVAC® and what is it used for?
JENVAC® is a vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis, which is caused by Japanese Encephalitis virus
(JEV) and is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. It is a mosquito-borne flavivirus,
and belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses. JEV is transmitted to
humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species. Most JEV infections are mild
(fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in
severe clinical illness. Severe disease is characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck
stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, paralysis and ultimately death. The case-fatality rate can be
as high as 30% among those with disease symptoms. Of those who survive, 20%–30% suffer
permanent intellectual, behavioural or neurological sequelae such as paralysis, recurrent seizures or
the inability to speak. There is no antiviral treatment for patients with JE. Treatment is supportive to
relieve symptoms and stabilize the patient. Prevention of disease by vaccination is the most
effective way to control Japanese encephalitis. JENVAC® is an inactivated vero cell derived vaccine
prepared from an Indian Kolar strain of the Japanese encephalitis virus. JENVAC ® is safe and highly
effective vaccine that protects against all the known strains of Japanese encephalitis.
2. Important aspects to note before administering JENVAC®?
• Infants younger than 2 months should not be administered JE vaccine
• People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the JE vaccine or any ingredient in
the vaccine
• Have serious allergies of any kind
• If the subject is are pregnant
3. How is JENVAC® administered?
JENVAC® Vaccine is administered intramuscularly into the deltoid region of upper arm for adults and
anterolateral region of thigh for children.
As per IAP Recommended immunization schedule (2018-19), JE vaccine should be administered as
follows: at 12 months and 13 months.
JE vaccine is also recommended for individuals living in endemic areas and for travelers to JE
endemic areas provide their stay is for a minimum period of 4 weeks.
4. What are the possible side effects from administering JENVAC®?
The most common adverse events noted were pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was
given, headache and muscle aches (mostly in adults), and lw fever (mostly in children). Serious
side effects from the JE vaccine are very rare.
