Japan has called for a nationwide suspension of an encephalitis vaccine following a report of serious side effects. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare urged all local governments to refrain from recommending the vaccine to minors until a safer vaccine becomes available for Japanese encephalitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the brain, the Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday. The move came after a female junior high school student developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after receiving the vaccine in July of last year. The girl was hospitalized in critical condition with breathing difficulties and other problems and remains hospitalized. An investigative panel in March submitted a report to the central government saying the girl’s ailment was apparently caused by side effects from the vaccine. A new vaccine under development probably will be available next year. It is being produced by a tissue-culture method that reduces the risks of side effects, officials said. Japanese encephalitis is transmitted to humans from pigs through mosquitoes. It can cause high fevers, headaches and even death. In Japan, between 4.2 million and 4.3 million children receive the encephalitis vaccine each year. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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