Types of hypersensitivity reactions:
(1) common: urticaria and/or angioedema
(2) uncommon: anaphylaxis, Guillain-Barre syndrome
Risk factors for an adverse reaction to JE vaccine:
(1) female gender
(2) age < 30 years of age
(3) history of allergic reactions: urticaria, history of allergic skin reactions, nickel sensitivity, hayfever, allergic rhinitis
Contraindications to use of the JE vaccine because of potential reactions
(4) history of allergy to one of the components of the vaccine, including neural or rodent proteins, thiomerosal, gelatin
(5) history of prior reaction to the vaccine
Patients receiving the vaccine should have the final (third) dose given 8 or more days prior to departure. In the event that a hypersensitivity reaction should develop, this allows sufficient time for therapy prior to the starting the trip.
