On this page
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Who is eligible for a Japanese encephalitis virus vaccination
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Japanese encephalitis vaccination information
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How to get Japanese encephalitis vaccination
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Current approach to vaccination in NSW
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Frequently asked questions
The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is safe and effective for people aged 2 months and older. Vaccination is recommended for those at the highest risk of catching Japanese encephalitis.
Once fully vaccinated, it can take between
2 to 4 weeks for your body to develop a protective immune response to the disease, so if you’re eligible, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Who is eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis virus vaccination
In NSW, a
free Japanese encephalitis virus vaccination is available for people aged 2 months or older who live or routinely work in any of the below Local Government Areas
and:
- regularly spend time outdoors placing them at risk of mosquito bites,
or
- are experiencing homelessness,
or
- are living in conditions with limited mosquito protection (e.g. tents, caravans, dwellings with no insect screens),
or
- are engaging in outdoor flood recovery (clean-up) efforts, including repeated professional or volunteer deployments.
LGAs of high JEV concern
- Albury
- Balranald
- Berrigan
- Bland
- Bogan
- Bourke
- Brewarrina
- Broken Hill
- Carrathool
- Central Darling
- Cobar
- Coolamon
- Coonamble
- Dubbo Regional
- Edward River
- Federation
- Forbes
- Gilgandra
- Goulburn Mulwaree
- Greater Hume
- Griffith
- Hay
- Junee
- Lachlan
- Leeton
- Lockhart
- Moree Plains
- Murray River
- Murrumbidgee
- Narrabri
- Narrandera
- Narromine
- Parkes
- Temora
- Unincorporated Far West Area
- Wagga Wagga
- Walgett
- Warren
- Warrumbungle
- Weddin
- Wentworth
A
free JEV vaccination is also recommended for people who live in any part of NSW and:
- work, live, or are visiting a:
- piggery, including farm workers and their families (including children aged 2 months and older) living at the piggery, pig transport workers, veterinarians (including veterinary students and nurses) and others involved in the care of pigs
- pork abattoir or pork rendering plant.
- work directly with mosquitoes through their surveillance (field or laboratory based) or control and management, and indirectly through management of vertebrate mosquito-borne disease surveillance systems (e.g., sentinel animals) such as:
- environmental health officers and workers (urban and remote)
- entomologists.
- all diagnostic and research laboratory workers who may be exposed to the virus, such as people working with JEV cultures or mosquitoes with the potential to transmit JEV; as per the
Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Japanese encephalitis vaccination information
There are two safe and effective JEV vaccines:
-
Imojev : one dose vaccine available for use in people aged 9 months and older.
-
JEspect
/ Ixiaro: two doses for use in infants and children aged ≥2 months and older, including people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant women.
For more information on the available JEV vaccines, visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
How to get Japanese encephalitis vaccination
If you are eligible for a free JEV vaccine, speak to your General Practitioner (GP), pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service about getting vaccinated today.
People who meet the above criteria should make an appointment with their GP, pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service and let them know it is for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine as they may require a few days' notice to order the vaccine.
Please note: some providers may charge an administration or consultation fee. Be sure to check if this applies to you.
Current approach to vaccination in NSW
- NSW Health has secured a limited supply of JE vaccines. Supply to Australia is limited by global ordering constraints.
- Vaccines are available to order from the State Vaccine Centre strictly for administration to people who are eligible as outlined above.