Get Immunized
Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.
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Japanese Encephalitis (in-cef-a-LY-tus), or JE, is common in Asia. JE can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can be deadly. JE is not found in the United States — and thanks to the JE vaccine, travelers rarely get the disease.
The JE vaccine is only recommended for people who live in or travel to parts of Asia where JE is a risk.
People who get encephalitis from JE can have serious complications, including seizures (sudden, unusal movements or behavior), paralysis (not being able to move), brain damage — and even death.
If you’re living in or planning to travel to parts of Asia where JE is common, getting vaccinated can protect you from JE.
JE is caused by a virus. Most people who get JE have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, like a headache and low fever. But about 1 in 250 people will develop more serious symptoms, like:
As many as 1 in 3 people can die from JE. Complications from JE can also cause permanent disability — in fact, as many as 1 in 3 people who get JE can end up with a disability.
JE does not spread from person to person, like through touching or kissing. The virus that causes JE is spread by mosquitoes, so people get it when they’re bitten by an infected mosquito. Learn more about JE, opens in a new tab.
You may need the JE vaccine if you’ll be living in or traveling to an area in Asia and you:
Travelers need 2 doses of the JE vaccine 1 month apart. Keep in mind that you’ll need to get the second dose at least 1 week before your trip. If you plan to stay in or return to Asia, you may also need a one-time booster dose after 1 year.
Talk with your doctor about how to protect your family from JE while traveling or living in parts of Asia. To find out if the JE vaccine is recommended where you’re traveling, visit the CDC’s travel website, opens in a new tab.
Some people should not get the JE vaccine, including:
Be sure to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated if you:
Side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:
Serious side effects from the JE vaccine are very rare.
Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the JE vaccine could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting the JE vaccine is much safer than getting JE. Learn more about vaccine side effects.
Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) have detailed information about recommended vaccines.
Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.