KUCHING: The Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine is currently given to infants in Sarawak.

State health director Dr Jamilah Hashim said the first dose of the vaccine would be given to infants at nine months, while the second dose at 21 months.

“The vaccine is given to infants in Sarawak because JE is endemic only in Sarawak,” she said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.

She said immunisation for JE in Sarawak was included in the schedule in 2002.

Based on the schedule, two other types of immunisation are given to infants – the first dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which protects infants against tuberculosis, and the first dose for Hepatitis B.

On whether it was possible that some parents in Sarawak missed the JE vaccine, Dr Jamilah said, ‘Usually no’.

“Even if they missed, our staff will detect the missed cases and trace them and will act accordingly.”

She explained that the JE immunisation served as a means to protect babies or children from the infection.

During a function here yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said it is vital for infants to get immunisation from JE, which last month claimed one life in the state.

He said JE, ‘is endemic because it is mosquito-borne and we cannot kill all the mosquitoes’.

“For JE, infants must get appropriate vaccination and there is no reason why they can’t get free vaccination,” he said.

Dr Sim also called on the public to ensure their surroundings are clean to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

“One most important thing is to make sure there are no more mosquitoes. But then it is now the rainy season where you get a lot of mosquitoes,” he said.

“I urge the public to do their part and do not wait until there is an outbreak and then everybody rushes around. If there is an outbreak area, it may be too late because you may be a victim already.”