Module 7 Communicating about CD-JEV vaccine with caregivers CD-JEV Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Introduction Training Modules for Health Care Workers Module 7 Communicating about CD-JEV vaccine with caregivers

Learning objectives At the end of the module, the participant will be able to: Describe how to communicate with caregivers Advise caregivers on Japanese encephalitis Provide other messages to caregivers before they leave the session Duration: 15 minutes

Key issues 1 2 3 How do I communicate with caregivers? How do I explain Japanese encephalitis (JE) to caregivers? 2 What other messages do I give caregivers before they leave the immunization session? 3 To the facilitator: Explain to the participants the key issues raised in this module. We will provide you with answers to the following questions: How do I communicate with caregivers? How do I explain Japanese encephalitis to caregivers? What other messages to give caregivers before they leave the session?

How do I communicate with caregivers? Be respectful. Use simple words and avoid technical terms. Listen to caregiver concerns. Make sure the caregiver has understood your key messages. To the facilitator: Explain to the participants how to communicate with parents. To effectively communicate with caregivers, health workers must first understand the concerns of parents regarding immunization and understand factors that can lead to misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Health care workers should establish an open, friendly dialogue with vaccine-hesitant parents at an early stage and provide clear answers to their questions and provide accurate information about vaccination. In a few words, the health worker should: Be respectful: smile often, be friendly. Use simple words to make sure the caregiver understands your key messages: look directly at caregivers and try to judge by their body language if they have understood your messages. Reword and simplify if needed. Listen to caregiver concerns: do not get angry or irritated when caregivers ask questions or raise concerns. Ongoing dialogue may successfully reassure vaccine-hesitant parents that immunization is the best and safest option for their child.

Explaining Japanese encephalitis to caregivers What is Japanese encephalitis? Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a disabling viral disease that affects the brain and can cause severe disability, seizures and even death. In patients who survive the disease, 30% to 50% of survivors suffer lifelong disability and require constant care from family members and medical staff. What are the signs and symptoms of JE? In people who get JE, the symptoms usually begin like the flu, with fever, chills, tiredness, headache, nausea and vomiting. The illness can progress to a serious infection of the brain (known as encephalitis). Many patients present with seizures or in a coma. Explain to the participants how to inform caregivers about Japanese encephalitis. Key messages for caregivers include: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a severe disease that affects the brain and can cause disability, seizures, and death. In patients who survive the disease, 30% to 50% suffer lifelong disability and require constant care from family members and medical staff. In people who get JE, the symptoms usually begin like the flu, with fever, chills, tiredness, headache, nausea and vomiting. The illness can progress to a serious infection of the brain (known as encephalitis). Many patients present with seizures or in a coma.

Explaining Japanese encephalitis to caregivers Who is at risk for JE? Anyone can get JE, but people living in rural rice-growing and pig- farming regions face increased risk. Cases are also found at the edges of cities. In areas where JE has been present for many years, the disease is most frequently seen in children between the ages of 1 and 15 years. Adults can also get disease. How is JE treated? There is no specific treatment for JE. However, supportive care is important to reduce the risk of death or disability. How can JE be prevented? Immunization is the best way to prevent JE; avoiding mosquito bites is also important. To the facilitator: Explain to the participants how to inform caregivers about Japanese encephalitis. Key messages for caregivers include: Anyone can get JE, but people living in rural rice-growing and pig-farming regions face increased risk. Cases are also found at the edges of cities. In areas where JE has been present for many years, the disease is most frequently seen in children between the ages of 1 and 15 years. Adults can also get disease. There is no specific treatment for JE. However, supportive care is important to reduce the risk of death or disability. Immunization is the best way to prevent JE; avoiding mosquito bites is also important.

Explaining CD-JEV vaccine to caregivers How effective is CD-JEV? Studies have shown that CD-JEV protects very well against disease. How safe is CD-JEV? The CD-JEV vaccine is very safe. Most children who receive the vaccine will not experience any side effects. However, like all vaccines, children may experience mild symptoms such as pain or swelling at the injection site, rash, mild fever, nausea or dizziness. These problems are not serious and will not last more than a few days. In very rare cases, there is the possibility of a severe allergic reaction. The parent should bring the child to a hospital or clinic as soon as possible if a child becomes severely ill or appears to have an allergic reaction, such as fever higher than 38.5⁰C or trouble breathing. To the facilitator: Explain CD-JEV to caregivers. Vaccination offers the best hope for protection against JE! CD-JEV has been administered to many infants and is safe. Most children who receive the vaccine will not experience any side effects. However, like all vaccines, children may experience mild symptoms such as pain or swelling at the injection site, rash, mild fever, nausea or dizziness. These problems are not serious and will not last more than a few days. In very rare cases, there is the possibility of a severe allergic reaction. The parent should bring the child to a hospital or clinic as soon as possible if a child becomes severely ill or appears to have an allergic reaction, such as fever higher than 38.5⁰C or trouble breathing.

Key messages Use simple phrases and avoid technical terms to make sure the caregiver understands your key messages. JE is a severe, disabling viral disease that affects the brain and can cause severe disability, seizures and even death; it’s transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no treatment for JE; the most effective and most cost-effective prevention method is vaccination. CD-JEV is very safe and effective. Ongoing dialogue may successfully reassure vaccine-hesitant parents that immunization is the best and safest option for their child. To the facilitator: Provide a summary of key messages on communicating JE vaccination to caregivers. Use simple phrases and avoid technical terms to make sure the caregiver understands your key messages. JE is a severe, disabling viral disease that affects the brain and can cause severe disability, seizures and even death; it’s transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no treatment for Japanese encephalitis; the most effective and most cost-effective prevention method is vaccination. CD-JEV is very safe and effective. Ongoing dialogue may successfully reassure vaccine-hesitant parents that immunization is the best and safest option for their child.

End of module for your attention! Thank you for your attention! Next is Module 8: CD-JEV immunization campaigns To the facilitator: This is the end of the module. You have been introduced to “Communicating about CD-JEV JE vaccine with caregivers”. The following module is titled “CD-JEV immunization campaigns”. Thank you for your attention!