A broad consensus was reached among participants at a recent workshop of policymakers and experts on the need to begin Japanese encephalitis (JE) immunization for all children on the Indonesian island of Bali as soon as possible.

The consensus comes after a surveillance study of JE in Bali, conducted by the IVI and the Indonesian Ministry of Health, found rates of the disease in children less 10 years old that rivaled that of countries highly endemic for JE (adjusted rate of 7/100,000 per year). Read a related story on JE.

The Bali results were discussed at the national workshop in Bali on November 2-3, which was co-organized by the IVI, the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). The workshop was attended by around 40 central and local-level health officials and outside experts.

Workshop participants agreed that the program will use a live attenuated vaccine (SA-14-14-2) produced in China. This vaccine has been shown to be highly effective after a single dose and is being distributed internationally, with assistance from PATH.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health is now developing plans to implement JE vaccination in Bali, including required field tests for licensing of the vaccine in Indonesia, continued disease surveillance in Bali (with IVI assistance), and financing for the vaccination campaigns. The IVI will provide technical and financial assistance for the Bali immunization program and research to evaluate its safety, coverage, costs and effectiveness.

JE is a mosquito-born viral disease, which kills 20-30% of attacked persons – predominately children – who exhibit symptoms of encephalitis and causes long-term neurological disability – including paralysis and mental retardation – in 25-75% of survivors.  Read more about JE and IVI´s JE Vaccine Program.