Charley's Mommy : Heads Up, Mommies! Everything You Need to Know about the Japanese Encephalitis

Heads Up, Mommies! Everything You Need to Know about the Japanese Encephalitis

I first heard of Japanese Encephalitis from Charley's pediatrician, Dra. Pamela Caedo of Makati Medical Center. She suggested that I have Charley vaccinated as part of her scheduled vaccines. Back then, I was still a bit clueless about the disease as there were no news reports about it then.

I was very fortunate to have been one of the few invited mommies and social influencers by the Food and Drug Authority and Sanofi Pasteur Philippines to attend a short forum on the Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease. The forum was held at the Dusit Thani Makati - intimate enough for the media to have their stories and for mommies to interact with each other and learn more about this dreaded disease.

The forum has also invited Dr. Sally Gatchalian of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, Dr. Mari Rose Delos Reyes of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and Mr. Jervin Papelleras of Sanofi Pasteur, to discuss the necessity for the JE vaccine in details.

Dr. Gatchalian, Dr. De Los Reyes, & Mr. Papelleras

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

It can be found in tropical areas all year-round, especially in rural areas. However, there have been reported cases of Japanese Encephalitis in urban areas, too.

It is a mosquito-borne disease - just like dengue. Unlike dengue, however, one gets infected by a Culex mosquito in a transmission cycle between mosquitos, pigs, and/or water birds. When a mosquito infects an animal, that animal becomes a carrier of the virus. When other mosquitos feed on the infected animal, they then become carrier of the virus (Kraft, 2016). Moreover, unlike dengue, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

JE Virus may cause permanent neurological problems. Most people infected by the virus develop mild or not symptoms at all. Symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. However, severe cases cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) accompanied by seizures and/or paralysis. Some result to death.

Everybody is at risk for Japanese Encephalitis. Children younger than 2 years old are at most risk, but any one can get infected. An article from Smart Parenting shares about the pain of a father who loses his 15-year old daughter to JE because presently, there is no cure for Japanese Encephalitis. Treatments are only given to relieve the symptoms present and to prevent the progression of the disease.

Protect your little ones from Japanese Encephalitis.

The JE Vaccine is our best prevention against Japanese Encephalitis. Children as young as 9 months old can receive the JE vaccine already. Children until 15 years old should have one primary dose and booster shots 12-24 months after.

What is the JE Vaccine in the Philippines?

Sanofi Pasteur is the sole licensed manufacturer of JE Vaccine in the Philippines, and is approved by the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Authority. JE Vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur is distributed by Zuellig Pharmacy.

JE Vaccine is available in private clinics and hospitals, as of the moment, but the Department of Health is doing its best to make the vaccine available in Health Centers in the country. As far as I know, JE Vaccine cannot be purchased in drugstores nationwide, as well.

The price of JE vaccine ranges from Php2,500 - Php 5,000 (as reported in some areas), excluding your pedia's professional fee.

WARNING, MOMMIES: PLEASE REFRAIN FROM BUYING JE VACCINES ONLINE since we can not be sure of its quality and effectivity. Please have your trusted pedias administer the vaccine to your little ones.

Here are other ways to help protect your little ones from Japanese Encephalitis:

Use insect-repellant. Charley used to have OFF! Lotion for Kids, but since I love the Citronella smell on her, she's currently using NoBite Lotion or Human Nature.