Sanofi Pasteur Launches Next Generation Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in Thailand

Sanofi Pasteur Launches Next Generation Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in Thailand PR Newswire BANGKOK, December 17, 2012 BANGKOK, December 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- - New Japanese encephalitis vaccine indicated for children and adults - - About 3 billion people living in Asia Pacific are at risk of Japanese encephalitis - Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that its next generation vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (JE) is now available in Thailand. The innovative JE vaccine requires a single dose for immunization against JE in adults. In children, a booster dose is recommended 12 to 24 months after the primary injection to ensure long-term protection. [1] [2]About 3 billion people in the Asia Pacific Region are at risk of JE for which there is no specific treatment . JE is most common in children under 15 years of age. It is the leading cause of childhood viral neurological infection and [3]disability in Asia. 20-30% of JE affected people die. 50% of survivors are left with long-term sequelae . In Thailand JE vaccination was introduced in the 1990's along with vector control and educational programs. As a result, the incidence [4]of JE was greatly reduced. Yet, the JE virus remains the cause of 15% of viral encephalitis in Thailand .