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Access To Japanese Encephalitis Virus Vaccine

Media Release - Wednesday November 9

After lobbying the Victorian state government, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce that all staff working on stud farms in areas affected by the floods are now eligible to be vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
 
While there are currently no confirmed cases of JEV in Victoria, the recent flooding and heavy rainfall can mean greater risk of infections spread by mosquitoes.
 
“I’d like to thank the Victorian state government for opening up the vaccination eligibility criteria to breeders”, said TBA chief executive officer, Tom Reilly.
 
“It has been an extremely challenging time for farms in the state, many of whom are now faced with a huge clean up as a result of the floods. This announcement provides peace of mind to farm owners and their staff, so they can continue their daily operations without the risk of contracting JEV.
 
“This is an important announcement and I am very grateful for the Victorian government’s support”.
 
Vaccination against JEV is now available for anyone aged two months or older who:

  1. 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
  2. Is living in temporary or flood-damaged accommodation that places them at an increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes, or
  3. Is engaged in the prolonged clean-up of stagnant waters following floods.

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.
 

“While getting vaccinated is important, everyone should focus on preventing being bitten by mosquitoes. This includes wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, using insect repellents, clearing stagnant water around your home, and avoiding areas with lots of mosquitoes, especially at dusk and dawn,” Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said.
 
“We know mosquitoes don’t breed in initial flood waters, but that the risk increases as these waters recede and leave behind pools of stagnant water.”
 
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 – including Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Murray Valley encephalitis.
 
For further information, please visit the Victorian Department of Health website here.
 
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