What is Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine (SA14-14-2)?
Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease caused by a virus. Encephalitis is an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. This infection often causes only mild symptoms, but prolonged swelling of the brain can cause permanent brain damage or death.
The Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in people who are at least 2 months old.
This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
This vaccine is recommended for people who live in or travel to areas where Japanese encephalitis is known to exist, or where an epidemic has recently occurred.
You should receive the vaccine and booster dose at least 1 week prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.
Not everyone who travels to Asia needs to receive a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Follow your doctor instructions or the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to Japanese encephalitis virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.
Like any vaccine, the Japanese encephalitis SA14-14-2 vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.