Vaccine rollout for Japanese encephalitis

By Isabelle Harris

Aug 22, 2022

Moira Shire residents and workers at risk are being urged to get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus ahead of infection spread by mosquitoes in the coming warmer months.

Moira Shire residents and workers are being urged to get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis virus ahead of infection spread by mosquitoes in the coming warmer months.

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The area has previously been named a critical region in the fight against the disease; Moira Shire acting chief executive officer Brant Doyle said the eligibility criteria for free vaccines had been expanded to give priority groups free access, including those who may be exposed at work.

“Those eligible include people aged between 50 and 65 who work in a role that is largely outdoors, specifically those who spend more than four hours outdoors each day,” he said.

People who fit the vaccination criteria are urged to fill out an expression of interest form via the Moira Shire Council website, or they can get a hard copy by phoning the council.

Other efforts to combat the disease include a newly-launched three-month study conducted by the GV Public Health Unit and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance to investigate its spread in the area.

Most people will not have symptoms if they have JEV, which is spread to people by mosquito bites and was detected in Victoria for the first time earlier this year.

A small portion of people may have a fever and a headache, which can develop into serious disease.

Those at risk can protect against mosquito bites by wearing long and loose fitting clothes outside.

They can also limit outdoor activity when mosquitoes are present and use mosquito repellents with active ingredients such as picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin.

By Isabelle Harris

McPherson Media Group