Who bears the costs of the vaccination?

As this is a travel vaccination, the patient must first pay the costs for the vaccine and the inoculation. However, it is worth asking your own health insurance company. Many statutory health insurance companies now at least partially reimburse the costs, even if it is a private urlaufsaufenthalt. You should therefore contact your health insurance company and clarify individually which costs can be reimbursed for which destination. If the stay abroad is for professional reasons, the employer will of course bear the costs of the vaccination.

How often and at what intervals should I vaccinate?

If no vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis has been obtained so far, basic immunization is necessary. This basic immunization consists of 2 vaccinations, which should be given at intervals of 4 weeks. Alternatively, there is a fast vaccination schedule in addition to the conventional vaccination schedule, in which the second dose is administered after 7 days. Before the second inoculation there is no sufficient vaccination protection. It is also important to know that the basic immunization should be completed at least 7 (better 14) days before possible pathogen contact in order to have a 99 percent protection.

Side effects of the vaccination

The vaccine approved in Europe is called IXIARO®. It contains killed, i.e. inactivated, viruses and is therefore called a dead vaccine. A vaccination is an intramuscular injection, usually into an upper arm muscle.

As with any injection or blood sampling, local reactions can occur. For example, there may be redness or swelling in the area of the vaccination site as the vaccination progresses. Pain or a feeling of tension in the affected limb is also not necessarily a cause for concern after a vaccination.

Most local complaints disappear again after a few days without special treatment.As with any drug, unspecific general symptoms may also occur as side effects, such as headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems. Serious side effects are rare. Allergic reactions to the vaccine or one of its components are described in the literature only in isolated cases. If you are concerned about possible side effects, talk to your doctor. He can advise you individually.