A single shot can prevent JE, but Nepal’s vaccination programme leaves adults out
Summary
Nepal’s JE outbreak has killed at least 21 people and infected 59 in six weeks, with most severe cases occurring among unvaccinated adults. Health officials are considering expanding the free vaccination programme beyond children, but funding remains a major hurdle.
Key Points
- Nepal is facing a major Japanese encephalitis outbreak, with at least 21 deaths and 59 infections in the past six weeks.
- Most of the infected and dead were unvaccinated adults, while Nepal’s routine JE vaccine programme currently covers only children.
- Doctors and health officials say a single vaccine dose could prevent severe illness and deaths, but adult vaccination would require new funding.
- Officials are exploring a possible adult vaccination drive, starting in high-risk areas such as Koshi province.
