The vaccine is now available to people in 24 regional local government areas, primarily inland riverine regions, where there is a higher risk of exposure to the virus.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas encouraged Victorians to understand the risks of mosquito-borne diseases and take simple steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites during the warmer summer months.
The initiative is backed by a $2.3 million investment.
“Mosquitoes can carry serious diseases that pose a real risk to our health — as we head into the warmer months, we would urge all Victorians to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their families,” Ms Thomas said.
Most people with JEV infection do not have symptoms or experience only mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.
However, around one in every 250 people can develop severe infection of the brain (encephalitis) or meningitis, which can be fatal.
The free JEV vaccine is available for eligible people through GPs, Aboriginal health services, community pharmacies and some local councils.
The government's mosquito surveillance program helps track the presence of diseases in mosquitoes across Victoria, providing an early warning system to protect the public.
The surveillance program monitors JEV, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and West Nile virus — informing public health advice so local communities, holidaymakers and livestock managers can be aware of the risks.
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