Step 2 - Compare the risks and benefits

What are the benefits of each option?

Avoid mosquito bites

  • When used correctly, repellents with DEET, picaridin or OLE can prevent bites by mosquitoes carrying the JE virus4
  • Avoiding mosquito bites lowers your risk of JE and other diseases that may be a risk on your trip like dengue and malaria
  • Sleeping under a treated bed net has been shown to lower JE risk by about 67% among people who live in India (no data in travellers)5

Getting the vaccine

  • Getting vaccinated lowers your risk of getting JE
  • There are no reports of JE illness among travellers who have had the JE vaccine1
  • Imojev and JEspect offer similar levels of protection6,7
  • Protection from JE vaccines last for years3

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Risks of disease

  • The chance of getting sick from JE is very low
  • On average, about one person per million trips to risk areas will get sick with JE9
  • Your risk may be higher or lower based on where you go, what you do, and your age
  • Signs of sickness can include fever, headache, seizures (fits) and coma
  • Some people who get JE will die, and some who survive will have long-term health issues

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Risks of vaccination

  • JE vaccines are very safe; side effects are usually mild and last 3 days or less
  • Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling where it is given, headache, muscle aches and fever
  • The risk of getting side effects is similar whether you receive Imojev or Jespect10
  • The risk of having side effects is similar to other common vaccines, like hepatitis A6

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