The NSW Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for its funded Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine.
Now eligible for the vaccine are people aged two months or older who live or routinely work in any of the State’s high-risk local government areas (LGAs)* AND
- regularly spend time outdoors placing them at risk of mosquito bites, OR
- are experiencing homelessness OR
- are living in conditions with limited mosquito protection (for example tents, caravans, dwellings with no insect screens) OR
- are engaging in outdoor flood recovery (clean-up) efforts, including repeated professional or volunteer deployments.
In addition, the Communicable Disease Network of Australia criteria relating to occupational exposure remain in effect. For full vaccination criteria visit: JEV Vaccination.
JEV Vaccine doses can be ordered through the State Vaccine Centre: NSW Toll Healthcare. Details of the NSW detections of JEV and other mosquito borne viruses are available in the weekly NSW Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring Program report.
Health care providers are urged to remind patients to protect themselves by following the advice on clothing, repellent use and environment controls in the NSW Health mosquito bite prevention website: Mosquito-borne disease resources.
*High-risk LGAs include: Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Bland, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Coolamon, Coonamble, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Federation, Forbes, Gilgandra, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Junee, Lachlan, Leeton, Lockhart, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrabri, Narrandera, Narromine, Temora, Parkes, Unincorporated Far West Area, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle, Weddin, Wentworth.
Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
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