Japanese Encephalitis vaccination in London
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral disease transmitted by Culex mosquitoes in rural agricultural areas of Asia. Most cases are mild or asymptomatic, but a small proportion develop severe encephalitis with significant mortality (about 20-30%) and long-term neurological complications in survivors. There is no specific treatment, so vaccination is the primary protection.
At City Of London Clinic we provide pharmacist-led JE vaccinations as a two-dose course. Every appointment is led by Asad Repon, a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber.
Who should consider JE vaccination
- Rural Asia travellers staying a month or more in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, parts of China, Korea, Japan, eastern Russia.
- Shorter-stay travellers visiting rural agricultural areas during peak transmission (typically the rainy season — May to October in most regions, year-round in tropical Asia).
- Travellers staying near rice paddies, pig farms, or aquaculture — the virus cycles between mosquitoes, water birds and pigs.
- Expat employees relocating to rural or semi-rural Asia — see our expat employee travel guide.
- Aid workers and field researchers doing rural fieldwork.
- Children travelling with parents on rural Asia trips of a month or more.
Who probably doesn't need it
Standard urban or beach holidays — Bangkok and the resort islands, Mumbai and Goa, Hanoi and Halong Bay — don't typically warrant JE vaccination. The risk is rural and agricultural exposure. The pharmacist will go through your specific itinerary at the appointment.
The schedule
Two doses:
- Standard: day 0 and day 28. Best when you have 4-6 weeks before departure.
- Accelerated: day 0 and day 7. Effective protection at the standard time and useful when departure is sooner.
Protection should be complete by 7 days after the second dose.
Bite prevention is part of the plan
JE is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite primarily at dawn and dusk, near water and rice paddies. Vaccination is one layer of protection — we'll also discuss bite avoidance: DEET-based repellent, long sleeves and trousers at dusk, sleeping with a fan or under a treated net in rural accommodation.
Co-administration with other Asia travel jabs
JE is non-live and combines well with Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Hepatitis B, and Yellow Fever (if needed for transit through a YF country). For most rural Asia travellers, the JE course fits alongside the broader pre-departure jab plan. Travellers heading to Pakistan may also need polio boosters.
Side effects
Mild soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site is common. Headache and low-grade fever can occur. Serious reactions are rare and the modern JE vaccine (Ixiaro/Jespect) has a well-established safety profile.
Boosters
For most travellers, the two-dose course gives long-term protection. Repeat travellers and expat residents in rural Asia may need a booster at 12-24 months — we'll discuss your individual circumstances.
How to book
Call 020 7253 9691 or visit cityoflondonclinic.co.uk/booking. Plan 4-6 weeks before departure for the standard schedule. We're at 36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA — 4 minutes from Barbican station.
