Currently, there are three types of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccines: live attenuated vaccines, live recombinant vaccines, and inactivated cell-based vaccines. Several WHO pre-qualified vaccines are available.

WHO recommends the following dosing schedules and age of administration for JE vaccines:

• Live attenuated vaccine: A single dose administered at ≥8 months of age
• Live recombinant vaccine: A single dose administered at ≥9 months of age
• Inactivated Vero cell-derived vaccine: The primary series should follow the manufacturer’s guidance, typically involving two doses four weeks apart, with the first dose starting at ≥6 months of age in endemic areas

  The need for a booster dose in endemic areas has not yet been clearly established for these vaccines.

  Since JE vaccination does not induce herd immunity, achieving and sustaining high vaccination coverage is essential for populations at risk of disease. Therefore, JE vaccination should be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE is considered a public health priority.

  The most effective immunization strategy in JE endemic areas involves a one-time campaign targeting the primary at-risk population, as defined by local epidemiology (typically children aged < 15 years of age). This should be followed by incorporation of JE vaccination into the routine childhood immunization programme.