Summary
This report updates the 2010 recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding prevention of Japanese encephalitis (JE)
among U.S. travelers and laboratory workers (Fischer M, Lindsey N, Staples JE,
Hills S. Japanese encephalitis vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep 2010;59[No. RR-1]).
The report summarizes the epidemiology of JE, describes the JE vaccine that is
licensed and available in the United States, and provides recommendations for
its use among travelers and laboratory workers.
JE virus, a mosquitoborne flavivirus, is the most common vaccine-preventable
cause of encephalitis in Asia. JE occurs throughout most of Asia and parts of
the western Pacific. Approximately 20%–30% of patients die, and
30%–50% of survivors have neurologic, cognitive, or behavioral sequelae.
No antiviral treatment is available.
Inactivated Vero cell culture–derived JE vaccine (Ixiaro [JE-VC]) is the
only JE vaccine that is licensed and available in the United States. In 2009,
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed JE-VC for use in persons
aged ≥17 years; in 2013, licensure was extended to include children aged
≥2 months.
Most travelers to countries where the disease is endemic are at very low risk for
JE. However, some travelers are at increased risk for infection on the basis of
their travel plans. Factors that increase the risk for JE virus exposure include
1) traveling for a longer period; 2) travel during the JE virus transmission
season; 3) spending time in rural areas; 4) participating in extensive outdoor
activities; and 5) staying in accommodations without air conditioning, screens,
or bed nets. All travelers to countries where JE is endemic should be advised to
take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to reduce the risk for JE and other
vectorborne diseases. For some persons who might be at increased risk for JE,
the vaccine can further reduce the risk for infection. The decision about
whether to vaccinate should be individualized and consider the 1) risks related
to the specific travel itinerary, 2) likelihood of future travel to countries
where JE is endemic, 3) high morbidity and mortality of JE, 4) availability of
an effective vaccine, 5) possibility (but low probability) of serious adverse
events after vaccination, and 6) the traveler’s personal perception and
tolerance of risk.
JE vaccine is recommended for persons moving to a JE-endemic country to take up
residence, longer-term (e.g., ≥1 month) travelers to JE-endemic areas,
and frequent travelers to JE-endemic areas. JE vaccine also should be considered
for shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers with an increased risk for JE on
the basis of planned travel duration, season, location, activities, and
accommodations and for travelers to JE-endemic areas who are uncertain about
their specific travel duration, destinations, or activities. JE vaccine is not
recommended for travelers w...