PATH is bringing a lifesaving vaccine against devastating Japanese encephalitis (JE) to millions of vulnerable children in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, helping to stamp out the disease for good.
Japanese encephalitis devastates communities, killing 30 percent of its victims, mostly children, and leaving many survivors with severe brain injuries. There is no treatment, so vaccination is crucial. Yet for a long time, tens of thousands of children died or were disabled every year for lack of access to an affordable vaccine. Although several options were on the market, they were too expensive for poor countries and required more than one dose, preventing them from reaching children in need.
PATH and our partners found a solution. We discovered that one JE-affected country, China, had not only developed a safe, effective, and affordable option, but protected millions of children with the one-dose vaccine. Yet it was virtually unknown outside the country. PATH brought the vaccine to light--and to millions more people. We aligned global partners to increase production, help the vaccine meet global standards, keep it at an affordable price, support vaccination campaigns, and more.
Already, our efforts have helped the JE vaccine reach 200 million people in 11 countries--yet millions remain in danger. So PATH is working with countries and partners to bring the vaccine to as many children as possible, as quickly as we can. If every child at risk is immunized, we can protect more than 750 million children from the suffering and loss caused by JE. The day when no child has to fear JE is within reach. With your support, we're closing the gap.
