Campaign Against Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Hinders Drive in Malappuram

The Health Department in Malappuram district has reported that only four percent of the targeted Japanese Encephalitis vaccinations have been administered due to a misleading campaign against the vaccine. Approximately 1.5 million children are slated to receive the vaccine, but only a little over sixty thousand have been vaccinated so far.

Malappuram District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. T.K. Jayanthi stated in a press conference that the false propaganda, claiming side effects in vaccinated children, is severely hindering the vaccination drive. The Health Department further clarified that the misinformation campaign against vaccination is significantly impeding the drive. Detailed examinations of children who allegedly experienced difficulties after vaccination have confirmed that these issues were not caused by the vaccine.

Officials reiterated that the vaccine is highly safe, with common side effects limited to mild fever, pain, and redness at the injection site. Serious adverse effects are extremely rare, reported in only 1-2 cases per million.

The Health Department warned that children infected with Japanese Encephalitis, even after recovery, are at risk of developing long-term complications such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, and other neurological disorders. The disease is observed to be more severe in children under 15 years of age and individuals over 60.

While complete eradication of this mosquito-borne disease is currently not feasible, the Health Department stated that human infection can be controlled through mosquito control measures and vaccination. Authorities emphasized that in this context, the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine offers significant protection for children.

The Director of the Health Department urged parents not to hesitate in vaccinating their children with this government-provided free vaccine. It was also announced that, in addition to Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts where vaccination is currently administered to children aged 9 months and above, similar school and anganwadi-level vaccination drives are targeted for completion within three months in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.