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Je-Vax

Generic Name: Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine (ja pon neese in ceph A lie tis vack seen)
Brand Names: Je-Vax

What is Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease caused by a virus. It is the leading cause of viral meningitis in Asia. Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord and brain linings. Japanese encephalitis is carried and transferred by mosquitos. The Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine causes the body to produce protective antibodies that help provide immunity to the disease.

What is the most important information I should know about Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

Before receiving Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine, talk to your doctor if you:

• have HIV or AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system;

• are taking a medication that affects the immune system (e.g. steroids, anti-rejection medications);

• have cancer;

• are receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or medication; or

• have recently had a blood transfusion or were given other blood products.

Ask your healthcare provider for more information. Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine may not be recommended in some cases.

Vaccination should be completed at least 10 days before traveling internationally because of the possibility of delayed side effects. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any adverse reaction.

Personal precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to mosquito bites by the use of insect repellants, and protective clothing. Avoiding outdoor activity, especially during twilight periods in the evening, will reduce risk even further.

You should receive 3 doses to complete the vaccination series.

Adverse reactions including headache, rash, edema, urticaria (a skin condition characterized by welts that itch intensely), or angioedema (large welts below the surface of the skin, especially around the eyes, lips, hands, feet, and throat) after vaccination or up to 17 days (usually within 10 days) following vaccination.

Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine is not usually recommended for children under 1 year of age. But under special circumstances it may be given to infants as young as 3 months (the vaccine does not work as well in very young children). Ask you doctor for details.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

How is Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine administered?

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine as an injection.

People 2 years of age and over typically get one dose of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine. However, a second dose may be recommended for people who continue to be at high risk. Ask your doctor for more information about the appropriate vaccination schedule.

Children 3 months to 2 years of age typically get 2 doses 3 months apart. Ask your doctor for more information about the appropriate vaccination schedule.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if a dose of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine is missed.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine is unlikely to occur. Contact your doctor if you have any questions regarding the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

What should I avoid before or after getting Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine side effects

Any adverse events should be reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) 1-800-822-7967 after contacting your doctor immediately.

Getting Japanese encephalitis is much riskier than getting the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Most people who get Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine do not have any problems with it.

• a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot;

• high fever;

• behavior changes; or

• seizures (jerking or staring).

Other less serious side effects may occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience:

• mild to moderate fever;

• soreness or swelling where the shot was given;

• flu-like symptoms; or

• mild rash.

Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by taking an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications..

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine?

Talk to your doctor before receiving Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine if you are taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:

• an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort);

• an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);

• treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays;

• azathioprine (Imuran);

• basiliximab (Simulect);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);

• etanercept (Enbrel);

• leflunomide (Arava);

• muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);

• mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);

• sirolimus (Rapamune); or

• tacrolimus (Prograf).

Drugs other than those listed here may also affect whether or not you should receive the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine. Talk to your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, or herbal products you are taking.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.