Health ministry to seek budget for mass JE vaccination drive in 2026
Summary
The Ministry of Health and Population in Nepal is planning a mass Japanese encephalitis vaccination campaign in 2026 amid rising infections and deaths, preparing to seek a budget despite lack of external funding support.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Health and Population plans a mass immunisation drive against Japanese encephalitis (JE) in 2026.
- At least 35 people died and over 175 have been infected with JE in Nepal since June, spreading to 45 districts.
- Most JE-related deaths have occurred in unvaccinated people over 40 years of age.
- Efforts to secure aid from development partners for the vaccination campaign have so far failed, prompting the government to seek funding internally.
