Dr. Hocine Lokchiri is a French consultant with over 20 years of experience in General and Emergency Medicine. He works with adults and children, helping patients with urgent symptoms, infections, sudden health changes and everyday medical concerns that require timely evaluation. His background includes clinical practice in France, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, which allows him to navigate different healthcare systems and manage a wide range of conditions with confidence. Patients value his calm, structured approach, clear explanations and evidence-based decision-making.

Online consultations with Dr. Lokchiri are suitable for many situations when someone needs quick medical guidance, reassurance or a clear next step. Common reasons for booking include:

fever, chills, fatigue and viral symptoms
cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, breathing discomfort
bronchitis and mild asthma flare-ups
nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, digestive infections
rashes, allergic reactions, redness, insect bites
muscle or joint pain, mild injuries, sprains
headache, dizziness, migraine symptoms
stress-related symptoms, sleep disturbances
questions about test results and treatment plans
management of chronic conditions in stable phases

Many patients reach out when symptoms appear suddenly and cause concern, when a child becomes unwell unexpectedly, when a rash changes or spreads, or when it’s unclear whether an in-person examination is necessary. His emergency medicine background is particularly valuable online, helping patients understand risk levels, identify warning signs and choose safe next steps.

Some situations are not suitable for online care. If a patient has loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, major trauma or symptoms suggesting a stroke or heart attack, he will advise seeking immediate local emergency services. This improves safety and ensures patients receive the right level of care.

Dr. Lokchiri’s professional training includes:

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS/ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
eFAST and critical care transthoracic echocardiography
aviation medicine

He is an active member of several professional organisations, including the French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU), the French Association for Emergency Physicians (AMUF) and the Swiss Society of Emergency and Rescue Medicine (SGNOR). In consultations, he works with clarity and precision, helping patients understand their symptoms, possible risks and the safest treatment options.

This page is for general information. Consult a doctor for personal advice. Call emergency services if symptoms are severe.

How to use IXIARO INJECTABLE SUSPENSION

Introduction

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

IXIARO injectable suspension

Vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (inactivated, adsorbed)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you or your child start using this vaccine, because it contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor.
This vaccine has been prescribed to you or your child. Do not pass it on to others.
If you or your child experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, even if you think the side effects are not caused by the vaccine. See section 4.

Contents of the package leaflet:

What is IXIARO and what is it used for
What you need to know before you or your child use IXIARO
How to use IXIARO
Possible side effects
Storage of IXIARO
Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is IXIARO and what is it used for

IXIARO is a vaccine against the Japanese encephalitis virus.

The vaccine causes the body to create its own protection (antibodies) against this disease.

IXIARO is indicated to prevent infection with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). This virus is mainly found in Asia and is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes that have bitten an infected animal (e.g., a pig). Many people infected have mild symptoms or no symptoms. In people who develop a severe form of the disease, JE usually starts like the flu, with fever, chills, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In the early stages of the disease, confusion and agitation also appear.

IXIARO should only be administered to adults, adolescents, children, or infants over 2 months of age who are traveling to countries where JE is endemic or who are at risk of contracting it due to their work.

2. What you need to know before you or your child start using IXIARO

DO NOT use IXIARO:

If you or your child are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance or any of the other components of this medicine (listed in section 6).
If you or your child have experienced an allergic reaction after receiving a previous dose of IXIARO. The symptoms of an allergic reaction may include a skin rash with itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face and tongue.
If you or your child have a disease with high fever. In this case, your doctor will postpone vaccination.

Warnings and precautions

IXIARO should not be injected into a blood vessel.

Primary vaccination should be completed at least one week before possible exposure to JEV.

Tell your doctor:

If you or your child have experienced any health problems after administration of any previous vaccine;
If you or your child have any other known allergy;
If you or your child have a bleeding disorder (a disease that makes you or your child bleed more than normal) or have a decrease in blood platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding or bruising (thrombocytopenia);
If your child is under 2 months of age, as IXIARO has not been tested in infants under 2 months;
If your immune system (you or your child) does not work properly (immunodeficiency) or if you or your child are taking medications that affect your immune system (such as a medication called cortisone or cancer medications).

Your doctor will explain the possible risks and benefits of receiving IXIARO.

Keep in mind the following:

IXIARO cannot cause the disease it protects against.
IXIARO will not prevent infections caused by other viruses different from the Japanese encephalitis virus.
Like any other vaccine, vaccination with IXIARO may not provide protection in all cases.
You should take necessary precautions to avoid you or your child getting mosquito bites (using suitable clothing, repellents, mosquito nets) even after being vaccinated with IXIARO.

Using IXIARO with other medicines

Studies in humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicines (clinical trials) have shown that IXIARO can be administered at the same time as the hepatitis A vaccine and the rabies vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you or your child are using, have recently used, or may use other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription, or if you or your child have recently received any other vaccine.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

There is not enough data on the use of IXIARO in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

As a precaution, IXIARO should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this vaccine.

Driving and using machines

IXIARO has no influence or insignificant influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

IXIARO contains potassium and sodium

This medicine contains potassium, less than 1 mmol (39 mg) per 0.5 ml single dose, i.e., essentially "potassium-free") and less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per 0.5 ml single dose, i.e., essentially "sodium-free"). This medicine may contain residues of sodium metabisulfite, which are below the detection limit

3. How to use IXIARO

The recommended dose for adults, adolescents, and children over 3 years of age is 2 injections of 0.5 ml each:

The first injection, on day 0
The second injection, 28 days after the first (day 28)

Adults aged 18 to ≤ 65 years can also be vaccinated as follows:

The first injection on day 0
The second injection 7 days after the first injection (day 7).

Infants and children between 2 months and <3 years of age

The recommended dose for infants and children between 2 months and <3 years of age is 2 injections 0.25 ml each:

The first injection, on day 0
The second injection, 28 days after the first (day 28)

To obtain instructions on preparing a 0.25 ml dose, see the end of this leaflet.

Make sure you or your child complete the full vaccination program of 2 injections. The second injection should be administered at least one week before possible exposure to the Japanese encephalitis virus. Otherwise, you or your child may not be fully protected against the disease.

In the case of adults, adolescents, children, and infants over 1 year of age, a booster dose can be administered during the second year (i.e., 12 to 24 months) after the first dose of the recommended primary immunization. In the case of adults, a second booster dose can be administered 10 years after the first booster dose. In the case of elderly persons (>65 years), the first booster dose may be administered earlier. Your doctor will decide on the requirement and timing of booster doses.

Administration

Your doctor or nurse will inject IXIARO into you or your child in the muscle of the arm (deltoid). IXIARO should not be injected into a blood vessel. If you or your child have a bleeding disorder, your doctor may decide to administer the vaccine under the skin (subcutaneously).

If you have any other questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of IXIARO

If you or your child miss one of the scheduled injections, consult your doctor and schedule another appointment for the second injection. Without the second injection, you or your child will not be fully protected against the disease. There is information indicating that the second injection can be administered up to 11 months after the first.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this product can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

During clinical trials, most of the following side effects have been observed, which usually occur within three days of vaccination, are generally mild, and disappear within a few days.

Very common (affect more than 1 user in 10):

Headache, muscle pain, pain at the injection site, hypersensitivity at the injection site, fatigue

Common (affect between 1 and 10 users in 100):

Nausea, flu-like illness, fever, other reactions at the injection site (e.g., redness, hardness, swelling, itching)

Uncommon (affect between 1 and 10 users in 1000):

Vomiting, skin rash, changes in lymph nodes, migraine (pulsating headache, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light), dizziness, vertigo (feeling that everything is spinning), diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive sweating, itching, chills, feeling of general discomfort, musculoskeletal stiffness, joint pain, weakness, abnormal liver test results (elevated liver enzymes)

Rare (affect between 1 and 10 users in 10,000):

Palpitations, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, abnormal sensation in the skin (e.g., pinching), hives, skin redness, pain in the legs or arms, platelet deficiency, nerve inflammation, swelling of the extremities and ankles, taste disturbance, swelling of the eyelids, fainting

Other side effects in children between 2 months and <3 years of age

In children between 2 months and <3 years of age, the following side effects have been observed more frequently compared to children between 3 and <12 years, adolescents, adults:

Very common:fever (28.9%), diarrhea (11.8%), flu-like illness (11.2%), irritability (11.0%)

Common:loss of appetite, vomiting, rash

Uncommon:cough

Reporting of side effects

If you or your child experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, even if you think the side effects are not caused by the vaccine. You can also report side effects directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of IXIARO

- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton after "EXP". The expiry date is the last day of the month shown.
Store in a refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C).
Do not freeze. If the vaccine has been frozen, it must not be used.
Store in the original package to protect from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Composition of IXIARO

One dose (0.5 ml) of IXIARO contains:

6 AU3 of the SA14-14-2 strain (inactivated) of the Japanese encephalitis virus1,2

equivalent to a potency ≤ 460 ng DE50

produced in Vero cells
adsorbed on hydrated aluminum hydroxide (approximately 0.25 milligrams Al3+)
Antigen units

Aluminum hydroxide is added to this vaccine as an adjuvant.

The other components are: sodium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, water for injections

Appearance and packaging of the product

IXIARO is an injectable suspension (0.5 ml in a glass syringe with or without a needle supplied separately, pack with 1 syringe).

IXIARO is a sterile white or slightly milky suspension that becomes homogeneous when shaken.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder:

Valneva Austria GmbH

Campus Vienna Biocenter 3

A-1030 Vienna

Austria

Email: [email protected]

Manufacturer:

Valneva Scotland Ltd.

Oakbank Park Road,

Livingston EH53 0TG

United Kingdom

Valneva Austria GmbH

Campus Vienna Biocenter 3

A-1030 Vienna

Austria

[email protected]
Date of last revision of this leaflet.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu/. On the European Medicines Agency website, this leaflet can be found in all languages of the European Union/European Economic Area.
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This information is intended only for healthcare professionals:
The pre-filled syringe is for single use and should not be used in more than one person. The pre-filled syringe is ready to use. If a needle is not supplied, use a sterile needle.
Do not use if the blister pack is damaged or the packaging is damaged.
During the storage period, a slight white deposit may form with a clear and transparent supernatant.
Before administration, shake the syringe well to obtain a homogeneous white suspension. Do not administer if particles or color changes are observed after shaking or if the syringe is physically damaged.
Disposal of unused medicine and all materials that have come into contact with it will be carried out in accordance with local regulations.
Information about administering a 0.5 ml dose of IXIARO to persons over 3 years of age
In the case of administering a full 0.5 ml dose, follow these steps:
Shake the syringe until a homogeneous suspension is obtained.
Remove the cap from the tip of the syringe by gently twisting it. Do not attempt to break or pull the tip, as this could damage the syringe.
Attach a needle to the pre-filled syringe.
Information about preparing a 0.25 ml dose of IXIARO for use in children under 3 years of age
In the case of administering a 0.25 ml dose to children between 2 months and <3 years of age, follow these steps:
Shake the syringe until a homogeneous suspension is obtained.
Remove the cap from the tip of the syringe by gently twisting it. Do not attempt to break or pull the tip, as this could damage the syringe.
Attach a needle to the pre-filled syringe.
Hold the syringe in a vertical position.
Push the plunger stopper to the edge of the red line on the syringe tube, indicated by a red arrow (see Figure 1)* to discard the excess volume
Attach a new sterile needle before injecting the remaining volume.
*If you push the plunger stopper beyond the red line, the 0.25 ml dose cannot be guaranteed, and a new syringe must be used.