Expanded access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for people visiting high-risk areas

What is the issue?

Since 2022, Japanese encephalitis continues to be detected in Victoria and other south-eastern Australian states. There is an ongoing risk of Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases in high-risk areas of regional Victoria. This year’s mosquito season has been prolonged with recent heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of northern Victoria and virus detections in neighbouring regions of New South Wales.

To keep Victorians protected this Easter and in the coming months, the Japanese encephalitis vaccination program has been temporarily expanded. Until 30 June 2026, people aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any of the high-risk local government areas in Victoria for any outdoor recreation such as camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting are now also eligible for a free vaccine.

Priority groups who live or routinely work in any of the high-risk local government areas, or who are considered at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria, continue to remain eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine.

There are 24 local government areas in Victoria that are currently eligible for a free vaccine. You do not need to be eligible for Medicare to receive a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine. More information on Japanese encephalitis and the complete vaccine eligibility criteria, including a list of all eligible high-risk local government areas, is available online at Japanese encephalitis.

Who is at risk?

People at risk of mosquito bites while in high-risk areas where human cases and virus detections have been reported are at greatest risk of Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases.

There is no specific treatment for Japanese encephalitis. Therefore, it is important to stay protected by getting vaccinated if eligible and following mosquito-bite prevention advice.

Symptoms and transmission

Japanese encephalitis virus can spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Most people experience no or mild symptoms. In some rare cases, Japanese encephalitis can cause serious infection with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches or pains, neck or back stiffness, sensitivity to light, confusion, seizures, coma and other neurological illness and may lead to permanent disability or even death.

Anyone who has spent time in high-risk areas of regional Victoria and develop these symptoms should seek urgent medical care and testing.

Recommendations

For the general public

• People aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any of the high-risk local government areas in Victoria for any outdoor recreation such as camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting are now also eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine until 30 June 2026.
• Priority groups of people aged 2 months or older who live or routinely work in any of the high-risk local government areas, or who are considered at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria remain eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
• For more information on Japanese encephalitis and vaccine eligibility, including a list of all eligible local government areas, visit Japanese encephalitis.
• Speak to your doctor (GP) or local immunisation provider to check if you are eligible for a free vaccine ahead of any planned travel this Easter or during the coming months.
• Stay protected against Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. For more advice, visit Protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases.

For health professionals:

• The Japanese encephalitis vaccination program has been temporarily expanded. Until 30 June 2026, eligibility now includes people aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any of the high-risk local government areas in Victoria for any outdoor recreation such as camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting.
• Priority groups who live or routinely work in any of the high-risk local government areas or who are considered at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria continue to remain eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
• Immunisation providers are encouraged to recommend the Japanese encephalitis vaccine to all eligible people, including those planning travel for outdoor recreation this Easter and in the coming months. Medicare eligibility is not required to receive a free vaccine.
• For the complete vaccine eligibility criteria, including a list of all eligible high-risk local government areas, visit Japanese encephalitis.
• Japanese encephalitis is an urgent notifiable condition which requires notification to the Department of Health upon initial diagnosis or clinical suspicion as soon as practicable and within 24 hours.