THE New South Wales Government is expanding free access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for residents in high-risk regional areas.
The change in eligibility criteria removes the need for people living in these areas to spend at least four hours per day outside.
In addition to the current eligibility, the JE vaccine is now recommended for people aged two months or older who live or work in any high-risk local government areas or any of the following.
● Regularly spend time outdoors, placing them at risk of mosquito bites
● Are experiencing homelessness
● Are living in conditions with limited mosquito protection (such as tents, caravans, dwellings with no insect screens)
● Are engaging in outdoor flood recovery (clean-up) efforts, including repeated professional or volunteer deployments.
The JE vaccine is available through general practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.
People who meet the above criteria should make an appointment and alert providers it is for the JE vaccine. They may require a few days’ notice to order the vaccine.
NSW director of One Health Keira Glasgow urged eligible people to book in with their health-care provider and get vaccinated against JE.
“Now is a great time to vaccinate, not just because we’re in the midst of mosquito season, but because the eligibility criteria are now expanded to include a much broader group within affected regional areas,” Ms Glasgow said.
“However, it’s important the community continues to stay vigilant and take precautions against mosquito bites altogether because, aside from Japanese encephalitis, mosquitoes carry a range of viruses for which there are no vaccines.”
