Je-Vax

 
Generic Name: Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine

Brands: Je-Vax

---

What is the most important information I should know about Je-Vax?

· 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 Je-Vax.

 

What is Je-Vax?

· 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 Je-Vax causes the body to produce protective antibodies that help provide immunity to the disease.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Je-Vax?

· Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to the Je-Vax, to proteins of rodent or neural (brain)origin, or to thimerosal should not get the Je-Vax.

· Before receiving Je-Vax, 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. Je-Vax 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.

· Je-Vax 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 Je-Vax.

· Je-Vax should be given to a pregnant women only if, in the opinion of the physician, the benefit outweighs the risk.

· Talk to your doctor before getting Je-Vax if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How is Je-Vax administered?

· Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the Je-Vax as an injection.

· People 2 years of age and over typically get one dose of Je-Vax. 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 Je-Vax is missed.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· An overdose of Je-Vax is unlikely to occur. Contact your doctor if you have any questions regarding the Je-Vax.

 

What should I avoid before or after getting Je-Vax?

· There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving Je-Vax.

 

What are the possible side effects of Je-Vax?

· 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 Je-Vax. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Je-Vax causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Most people who get Je-Vax do not have any problems with it.

· Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if any of the following rare but serious side effects from Je-Vax are experienced:     ·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 Je-Vax?

· Talk to your doctor before receiving Je-Vax 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 Je-Vax. 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 Je-Vax.

Print this page