FDA Approves New Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

On March 30, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it had approved IXIARO, a new inactivated vaccine to protect against Japanese encephalitis (JE). This vaccine has been approved for use in persons ≥17 years of age. IXIARO is manufactured by Intercell Biomedical (Livingston, UK) and will be distributed in the United States by Novartis Vaccines (Cambridge, MA). 

CDC Recommendations

• Health-care providers should follow current ACIP recommendations when deciding whether a traveler should be vaccinated for JE.
  • Japanese Encephalitis (CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)
  • Inactivated Japanese Encephalitis Virus Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (MMWR 42(RR-01), January 8, 1993)

• Regardless of whether they are vaccinated, all travelers should be advised to take the following steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites:
  • Use insect repellent on uncovered skin when outdoors.
  • Wear protective clothing such as loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
  • Stay in hotels or resorts that are well screened or air conditioned. If the hotel is not well screened, sleep under bed nets to prevent mosquito bites.
  • For more specific recommendations, see Mosquito and Tick Protection.