About this decision aid

What is a decision aid?

A decision aid is a tool that helps you make choices about your health. It shows you your options, gives you facts, and helps you understand what matters most to you.

What is this decision aid about?

This online tool can help you decide if you should get the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine. It gives you information on the disease, vaccines, and your choices, including the risks and benefits.

This decision aid may be helpful if you:

  • Are going to a place where JE is a risk (see map)
  • Are not sure about getting the JE vaccine
  • Are not sure which JE vaccine to get
  • Want to learn more about the disease and vaccines.

This tool should not replace advice from your doctor or other healthcare provider. It helps you understand your choices, prepare questions for your provider, and make an informed decision. Talk to your doctor or provider to get the best advice for your situation.

Is this decision aid right for me?

We made this tool for Australians planning to travel to places where there is a risk of JE (see map). Even if you’re not travelling, you can use this tool to learn more about JE and the vaccines. The vaccines discussed in the tool are available in Australia but may not be available in all countries.

Who made this decision aid?

How did we make this decision aid?

We followed the International Patient Decision Aid Standards and used a method called co-design. This means that we worked closely with consumers and healthcare providers to make the tool helpful and easy to use.  First, we held workshops to understand what information they needed. Then, we reviewed the best available research on JE and JE vaccines and asked for their input on how to present it. With a graphic designer, we created a prototype. We then showed the prototype to experts, consumers and healthcare providers to get their feedback. Based on their feedback, we refined the tool and built this website.

Download this PDF for more information

When was this decision aid last updated?

This decision aid was updated on 27 March 2026. We will review it regularly.

Do the authors of this decision aid declare any conflicts of interest?

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. They do not stand to gain or lose by choices made by any person who uses this decision aid.

Who funded this decision aid?

This research and decision aid were funded by a Research Award from The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM). The ISTM research awards are funded through a generous donation from the GeoSentinel Foundation.

Sarah McGuinness received support from a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellowship (GNT2017229), a Royal Australian College of Physicians Cottrell Research Establishment Fellowship, and the Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ Early Career Research Excellence Program (ECREP).

Graphic design

Graphic design by Monrotype. Visit their website at https://www.monrotype.com