Japanese Encephalitis
Who should get vaccinated?
According to the Australian Immunisation Handbook:
Vaccination Information
Brand (Common in Australia) | Notes | Schedule |
Imojev® | not suitable for immunocompromised individuals or pregnant women (live vaccine). | Single dose ≥12 months of age. Protective within 1–2 weeks. |
Jespect® | suitable for a broader population including immunocompromised. | 2 doses, 28 days apart. Booster at 12 months may be needed. |
Japanese Encephalitis Travel Risk Table (Asia)
Country | JE Risk Level | Peak Season | Vaccination Recommended For |
India | High (rural) | May–October (monsoon) | ≥1 month rural travel, shorter travel with high exposure (e.g., pig farms, rice fields) |
Nepal | Moderate–High | July–December | Rural areas in Terai region during monsoon or longer stays |
Bangladesh | Moderate | May–October | Long-term travelers or rural exposure |
Sri Lanka | Moderate | October–January | Travelers spending time in rural areas during season |
Pakistan | Low–Sporadic | July–October | Generally not required unless special circumstances |
Thailand | High | May–October | All rural or extended travelers, particularly in north and northeast |
Vietnam | High | May–October (north); year-round (south) | All rural travelers, especially in rice-farming areas |
Cambodia | High | May–October | All rural travelers, even short-term |
Laos | High | May–October | Rural travelers, backpackers, volunteers |
Myanmar | High | May–October | Travelers to rural areas or staying >1 month |
Indonesia | High | Year-round | Bali and Java (low risk); other islands (moderate–high) — rural exposure |
Philippines | Moderate–High | July–November | Rural travel or extended stay |
Malaysia | Low–Moderate | Year-round (esp. Sabah, Sarawak) | Rural exposure in Borneo, long-term travel |
Japan | Low–Moderate | August–October | Rural Hokkaido and Honshu only; vaccine rarely needed |
China | High (south), Moderate (north) | June–September (north); year-round (south) | Extended rural travel, esp. in Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan, etc. |
Taiwan | Moderate | May–October | Rural travel during peak season |
South Korea | Moderate | July–October | Mainly rural areas; low risk for urban tourists |
Timor-Leste | Moderate–High | Year-round | Long-term travel, rural exposure |
Papua New Guinea | High | Year-round | Vaccine advised for all rural travel |