The FDA has approved a new Japanese encephalitis vaccine (Ixiaro – Intercell/Novartis). It will replace JE-Vax (Sanofi Pasteur)1, which has had tolerability and safety problems and is no longer being manufactured.

EPIDEMIOLOGY — Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus endemic in many Asian countries. Clinical disease, which occurs in less than 1% of people infected, can lead to encephalitis, coma, serious neuropsychiatric sequelae and death. In Asia, clinical disease with JE has been estimated to occur in about 30,000 to 50,000 people each year, resulting in 10,000 to 15,000 deaths.2 However, only 4 cases of JE were reported in US residents between 1992 and 2008.3,4

EFFICACY – The immunogenicity of the new vaccine was established in a randomized, observer-blinded, ... more      

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