Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in West Hampstead London Travel Clinic

Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in West Hampstead, at a glance

Japanese Encephalitis is a rare but very serious mosquito-borne viral infection of the brain. Only a small fraction of infections cause symptoms, but those that do carry a high case fatality rate and a high rate of long-term neurological problems in survivors. The vaccine, Ixiaro, is a two-dose inactivated course given over 28 days, with an accelerated 0 and 7 day option for adults aged 18 to 65. At Aqua Travel Clinic on Mill Lane in West Hampstead, NW6, we offer the full course from a GPhC-registered pharmacist with no separate consultation fee.

Who should consider the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine

NaTHNaC recommends Japanese Encephalitis vaccination for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas during transmission season, and for shorter trips that involve substantial outdoor or rural exposure, cycling, camping, trekking or visits to rice fields and pig farming areas. Common destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Nepal and Laos. Family travellers, gap year students and longer term expats are the most common groups we vaccinate.

Schedule and doses

The standard course is two doses on days 0 and 28. For adults aged 18 to 65, an accelerated schedule on days 0 and 7 is licensed for last-minute travel. Both schedules must be completed at least seven days before potential exposure. A single booster is recommended at one year if continued exposure is expected, with further boosters every 10 years for ongoing risk. Children from two months can be vaccinated using a 0.25 mL dose.

Common destinations and pairings

Most Japanese Encephalitis travellers are heading on longer Asian itineraries and also need Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and often Rabies and Hepatitis B for backpacker and family stays. We will review the full destination list during the consultation and align everything with NaTHNaC country guidance.

Side effects and contraindications

Ixiaro is an inactivated vaccine and is well tolerated. The most common side effects are a sore arm, headache, muscle aches or mild fatigue for one to two days. Severe reactions are very rare. The vaccine should not be given to anyone with a confirmed allergy to a previous dose or to protamine sulfate. Caution is needed in pregnancy and severe immunosuppression, where the pharmacist will weigh risks individually. We screen for all of this at the appointment.

Booking and pricing

Same-week appointments are typically available, with accelerated schedules a useful option for late bookings. Specific Ixiaro pricing and family bookings are on our booking page; there is no separate consultation fee. Aqua Travel Clinic operates from 59 Mill Lane, West Hampstead NW6 1NB, one minute from West Hampstead station. The clinic is run by Aqua Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1123406), owned by Naspram Pharma Limited, with all consultations supervised by Superintendent Pharmacist Sanjay Mukundkumar Patel (GPhC 2045157). Local catchments include Camden Town, Hampstead and Belsize Park, where backpacker and family travel to Asia is common.