4.17 million Cambodian children receive Japanese Encephalitis vaccine

4.17 million Cambodian children receive Japanese Encephalitis vaccine

Xinhua News Agency | Wed,2016-06-01 

PHNOM PENH, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Some 4.17 million Cambodian children, aged from 9 months to 14 years old, had been vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis during a nationwide vaccination drive, Cambodian Ministry of Health said in a statement on Wednesday.

The mosquito-transmitted virus causes inflammation of the brain and is mostly detected among children below 15 years old, the statement said, adding that about one in every four cases is fatal. 

Following the one-month vaccination campaign in March this year, the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is incorporated into the routine national immunization schedule, it said.

"Japanese Encephalitis is a public health priority in Cambodia. With the introduction of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in the routine national immunization program followed by this campaign, no child will be susceptible to Japanese Encephalitis when they become an adult and are ready to start their own families." Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in the statement. Enditem