Manila, March 19 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has introduced to its immunization program the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine -- the most effective measure to bring down JE cases nationwide.
JE is a mosquito-borne viral disease and is the leading cause of viral encephalitis or inflammation of the brain in Asia.
In a statement on Tuesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Philippines is one of the 12 countries with an established JE transmission.
"Only two countries have not introduced the vaccine in their immunization program, and one of these is the Philippines. Now, the Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available in the Philippines. This vaccine is WHO-prequalified and Philippine FDA (Food and Drug Administration) app...