Japanese encephalitis vaccine: do we need it?!

[bubbles092]

My DS2 and I are going india at the end of the month. However I honestly haven't thought about what vaccines to have until now! I'm such an idiot.. I've looked and it says all travellers should get thyphoid and hep A which is fine but it's the Japanese encephalitis that I'm worried about. I know a few people who visited India and said they didn't get any vaccinations at all? I'm terrified after reading symptoms! But I think it's too late as it's two doses 28 days apart! Is it really necessary? We are going to an urban area, not a rural area and apparently urban area you are more at risk

I’ve had it I think due to going to the Philippines but I wasn’t offered it for India (and I used to travel there regularly for work).

No you are more at risk in rural areas. You should talk to your GP practice, but I suspect you don't need it.

you mean it's rural areas that are more risky, I think. Where you won't be.
I wouldn't worry about the JE, tbh, can't be controlled for at this point, anyway.

We are in the same situation. We’ve had the hep A and typhoid jabs which we were recommended by the practice nurse at the gp surgery. Too late for us too as we leave in about 3 weeks 🤷‍♀️

Well you’re too late for JEV, but if you’re urban and not staying for long the risks are lower. Avoid standing water and make sure you are vigilant about bite avoidance especially between dusk and dawn. You need a good insect repellent and use it frequently and liberally.

Please ensure you get typhoid and Hep A as soon as possible, and ensure you are in date for diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

Check your region for the need for antimalarials
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-east/india/india-malaria-map

What are the hep A and Typhoid jabs like symptom wise? I haven't had vaccines since I was 15 so I am actually a bit worried lol. I remember having a horrible dead arm when I had the HPV vaccine.
I hope so! I will give my doctor a ring tomorrow because I want to make sure. It probably is to late to have it but I've read there's an accelerated option as well.

There’s no accelerated schedule for JEV.

Typhoid can give you a sore achey arm, Hep A isn’t so bad.

You need to make a practice nurse appointment ASAP, your GP won’t be much help, they don’t do travel health, the nurses do.

Dependent on your practice you might be lucky to get in quickly, especially at this time of year. I’m a practice nurse and we have no travel health appointments for 3 weeks (and don’t give JEV anyway, you have to go to a private travel health clinic).

I phrased that wrongly - there is an accelerated schedule for JEV but it’s only for adults, isn’t thought to be as effective, and you ideally need to complete it at least 7 days prior to travel so you’re still cutting it fine.

No major symptoms from hep a and typhoid jabs. My arm felt slightly sore when I laid on that side in bed but only for a couple of nights and no ther side effects that I noticed.