Vaccine available for Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire against Japanese encephalitis virus

By Anna McGuinness

Aug 22, 2022

Protect yourself: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available for eligible Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire residents. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire eligible residents can get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus through Goulburn Valley Health.

In recent months, JEV has been detected in humans, pigs and mosquitoes in Victoria for the first time, including Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire communities.

JEV is spread to people by mosquito bites and can cause a rare and potentially serious infection of the brain.

Most people will have no symptoms, but one per cent of people may experience a fever and headache, which can develop into a serious disease.

The vaccine is free and available for people aged between 50 and 65 who live or work in the Greater Shepparton or Moira local government areas, who work in a role largely outdoors or who spend more than four hours outdoors each day.

Goulburn Valley public health unit medical director William Cross urged eligible people to get vaccinated and protect themselves against JEV.

“Particularly ahead of the summer season when mosquitoes are most common, and particularly before camping or frequenting the local rivers and lakes during the school holidays,” Dr Cross said.

The vaccine is available from the GV Health vaccination hub in Shepparton and through Jabba the Bus outreach clinics — bookings are not required.

The vaccination hub is located at Tirana City Walk on Level 1/11, 302-308 Wyndham St, and is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 4.45pm, and Tuesday from 11am to 6.45pm.