No use of vaccination in peak JE season, say experts

Guwahati: Health experts on Wednesday said there is no use of vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) during the peak JE season as it takes two to three months for the JE vaccine to boost immunity.
Till Wednesday, 41 JE-positive were reported with a total of 10 casualties. Over 89 Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases and 21 deaths have also been reported so far.
Though the ambitious adult JE vaccination drive couldn't be carried out in the remaining three districts of Nalbari, Baksa and Morrigaon last winter because of shortage of vaccines, health experts have called for a greater attitudinal shift among people towards vaccination not only for JE but other diseases as well.
"Things could have been better had there been no shortage of vaccines last winter. However, there is no need for vaccination during the peak season," said Bhabesh Bhagawati of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
As per government statistics, the primary reason for both partial and zero immunization in Assam is that most people (51.7%) do not feel the need for it.
The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) provides vaccination against life-threatening diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and Hepatitis-B. In states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where JE endemic is much broader, additional vaccines are provided.
"The attitude of the people towards vaccination should change," said Keshav Barman, state consultant of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).