Victorians aged two months and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), with further expansions to the eligibility criteria.
Vaccination against JEV is now available for anyone aged two months or older who:
• lives, or routinely works, in a high-risk area and spends significant time outdoors (four hours per day), for unavoidable work, recreational, educational or other essential activities, or
• is living in temporary or flood-damaged accommodation that places them at an increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes, or
• is engaged in the prolonged clean-up of stagnant waters following floods.
While there are currently no confirmed cases of JEV in Victoria, flooding and heavy rainfall across the state can mean greater risk of infections spread by mosquitoes this season.
As there is limited supply of the vaccine internationally, eligibility criteria and free options for JEV vaccination are being managed carefully to ensure those most at risk have access.
Wangaratta, Strathbogie and Benalla have also been added to the local government areas where the vaccine is available to those eligible.
The vaccine is free for people who meet these criteria and is available from local councils and local public health units, including some COVID-19 vaccination hubs. Select GPs and community pharmacies can also provide the vaccine itself for free but may charge a fee for the administration.
People living in areas experiencing mosquito activity should undertake these protective measures now and over the coming months to protect themselves against not just JEV, but other mosquito-borne diseases for which no vaccine is available.
For the full eligibility criteria, visit the Department of Health’s website at https://www.health.vic.gov.au.
More information and advice regarding Japanese encephalitis is available on the Better Health Channel at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.