Japanese encephalitis vaccine programme commences soon

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said the delay in giving the second dose of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine by few months will not affect the development of immunity.

The sources said that the Japanese Encephalitis immunization programme is conducted annually from May to August in selected districts of Sri Lanka since 1988. But there was a substantial delay in the supply of vaccine during the last few years which has made it difficult to conduct the programme as scheduled.

Even though tender procedures for procurement of JE vaccine for the current year’s programme have already been finalized, local health authorities yet to receive the vaccine to commence the programme.

There is only one manufacturer, supplying JE vaccine in this field and it commence producing the vaccine only on receipt of the order resulting the inevitable delay, the sources said.

There is public concern on not giving the third dose of JE vaccine after one year receiving the first two doses and according to the National schedule the third dose of JE vaccine has to be given one year after the second dose.

The Epidemiology Unit will take all possible steps to commence the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine programme as early as possible, assured the sources.