IXIARO: A Vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious disease that causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal or lead to long-term disability. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and is most common in Asia, particularly in rural areas. JE vaccine can prevent JE and is recommended for people who live in or travel to JE-endemic countries for long periods or frequently. IXIARO is the only JE vaccine licensed and available in the United States and Europe. It is an inactivated vaccine that contains small amounts of the viruses that cause JE, which have been killed so that they cannot cause the disease . It helps your body’s immune system make antibodies against the virus, which will attack the virus if it ever infects your body.

How to get IXIARO

IXIARO is given as a two-dose series, with the doses spaced 28 days apart. Adults aged 18–65 years can get the second dose as early as 7 days after the first dose. The last dose should be given at least 1 week before travel. A booster dose (third dose) should be given if a person has received the two-dose primary vaccination series one year or more previously and there is a continued risk for JE virus infection or potential for reexposure. For adults and children aged 3 years or older, each dose of IXIARO is 0.5 mL. For children aged 2 months through 2 years, each dose is 0.25 mL. IXIARO is available by prescription only. You should talk to your health care provider about the need for vaccination based on your travel itinerary, the likelihood of future travel to countries where JE occurs, the possible severe outcomes of JE disease, and information about the vaccine including cost and possible side effects.

How much does IXIARO cost?

The price of IXIARO may vary depending on where you buy it and whether you have insurance coverage. The table below shows some examples of prices in different countries, based on online sources . These prices are for reference only and may not reflect the actual cost you pay.

Table 1: Prices of IXIARO in different countries (as of October 2023)

Country	Currency	Price per dose	Reference
USA	USD	$199.99	[5]
UK	GBP	£89.99	[6]
Australia	AUD	$149.99	[7]
Canada	CAD	$199.99	[8]
Singapore	SGD	$149.99	[9]

Why choose IXIARO?

IXIARO is a safe and effective vaccine that can protect you from JE, a potentially life-threatening disease. It has been approved by regulatory authorities in the United States and Europe, and has been used by millions of people worldwide. It has a favorable safety profile and does not contain any preservatives or animal-derived components. It is also compatible with other vaccines commonly used for travelers, such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever. If you are planning to live in or visit a country where JE occurs, especially if you will spend time in rural areas or during the mosquito season, you should consider getting vaccinated with IXIARO. It could save your life or prevent serious complications from JE.

Sources:

• [1] CDC. Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine | Japanese Encephalitis | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/vaccine/index.html
• [2] CDC. Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Information Statement | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/je-ixiaro.html
• [3] EMA. Ixiaro | European Medicines Agency https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ixiaro
• [4] EMA. Questions and answers on the review of Ixiaro (Japanese encephalitis vaccine) https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/medicine-qa/questions-answers-review-ixiaro-japanese-encephalitis-vaccine_en.pdf
• [5] GoodRx. Ixiaro: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Reviews – GoodRx https://www.goodrx.com/ixiaro/what-is
• [6] TravelPharm. IXIARO Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine 0.5ml https://www.travelpharm.com/travel-vaccinations-c154/japanese-encephalitis-vaccine-c155/ixiaro-japanese-encephalitis-vaccine-0-5ml-p1042
• [7] Travelvax. Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (IXIARO) https://www.travelvax.com.au/travel-health-alerts/japanese-encephalitis-vaccine-ixiaro
• [8] London Drugs. IXIARO 0.5ML SYRINGE https://www.londondrugs.com/ixiaro-0.5ml-syringe/L0163789.html
• [9] HealthHub. IXIARO 0.5ML INJECTION https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/1001/Ixiaro_0_5ml_Injection