SWAN Hill Council is holding free Japanese Encephalitis vaccination sessions this month.
The council’s public health and regulatory services co-ordinator, Kelsey Corrie, said with an increase in the mosquito population, due to recent heavy rainfall and flood water within the region, the vaccine offered protection against Japanese Encephalitis.
Japanese Encephalitis is a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain caused by a virus which can be spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Ms Corrie added the vaccine didn’t protect against other mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River, Murray Valley and Barmah Forest viruses.
Ms Corrie said an eligibility criteria for people to receive the free vaccination would need to be met.
“People who live or routinely work within our municipality, and spend significant time outdoors (at least four hours a day) for unavoidable work, educational or other essential activities, are eligible for vaccination,” she said.
“People in temporary or flood-damaged accommodation or are engaged in prolonged outdoor recovery efforts for four weeks or longer are also eligible, along with people who have worked at or live on a piggery or work with pigs, or at pork abattoirs or rendering plants.”
The vaccination clinic will be held at the Swan Hill Anglican Church, 46 Splatt Street on December 14 (2pm-5pm) and December 15 (9am-1pm).
Booking are essential.
Ms Corrie said the most effective way to avoid Japanese Encephalitis, or other mosquito-borne diseases, was to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
“Residents are encouraged to follow the Beat the Bite actions, including covering up with long loose clothing, using mosquito spray containing DEET or Picardin, removing all stagnant water (such as bases of pot plants) from around your home, fitting insect netting to all windows, and avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn,” she said.
To book, visit www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/immunisations or call 5036 2591.
BENDIGO Health is also holding vaccination sessions this week.
The Tuesday session, 12.30pm-3.45pm, will be held at the Anglican Church.
Wednesday’s session will be held from 9.30am-1.45pm.
Call 1800 329 189 to book.
