The Centre has informed Andhra Pradesh Government that 25 thousand vials of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccines have already been supplied to the State (12 thousand vials in July, 5 thousand vials in August, 2 thousand vials in September and 6 thousand vials in October) as against the demand of 40 thousand vials. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also assured the State of Andhra Pradesh that the remaining consignment of 15 thousand vials of JE vaccines will be sent by this year end.

    Regarding the A.P. Government's request on 30^th October, 2000, to import JE vaccines to tackle the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in 11 districts of the State, the Drugs Controller General (India) could issue technical clearance expeditiously for any such request for import and use of traditional mouse brain vaccine, from a manufacturer. Neither any application from J.E.vaccine manufacturer from abroad is pending with Drug Controller General (India) nor has his office issued licence to any such applicant.

    In respect of application for licence to import and use the DNA based/ Tissue culture J.E. vaccine from China/ South Korea, it will take much more time for issuing licence, as these vaccines are newer ones and are not yet accepted, the world over. Further, clearance from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of the Ministry of Environment is also required. Use of such newer vaccines without clinical trials may invite unnecessary criticism.

    A team of experts consisting of epidemiologists, virologists, etc. from National Institute of Communicable Diseases and National Anti-Malaria Programme was sent to the affected districts of the State on 25^th and 27^th October, 2000 to assist the State Health Authorities in epidemiological investigations of the outbreak.