Yellow Fever and Japanese Encephalitis

Yellow fever (in parts of South America and Africa) and Japanese encephalitis (in parts of Asia) can reach epidemic proportions in specific geographical areas during particular seasons. In areas where either disease is endemic, the appropriate vaccine may be included in the routine EPI or other childhood immunization schedules and heightened surveillance assured during the relevant seasons. At the first signs of an outbreak among the emergency-affected population or in a nearby area, it may be appropriate to give vaccines specific to the local strain on a mass basis.

In all cases, vaccination must be accompanied and preceded by public information efforts to raise awareness of the symptoms and by social mobilization to expedite vaccination and encourage people to seek health care immediately when symptoms are recognized. Vaccination campaigns themselves are organized in a similar manner to that described in Annex 2 for an emergency measles vaccination campaign.