Veterinarians might be eligible for priority Japanese Encephalitis virus vaccination

14 Feb 2025

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a rare but potentially serious infection in humans that is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito. People infected with JEV usually have no symptoms, however, less than 1 percent will develop fever and headache. Severe infection (encephalitis) can occur, requiring hospitalisation with possible serious long-term outcomes. 

ACT Health are aware that some veterinarians may be eligible for a government funded Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Virus vaccine due to their workplace contacts.

It can take at least two weeks after receiving the vaccine for you to develop maximum protection from JEV. For most adults, the vaccine course is a single vaccination. 

You should tell your vaccine provider if you: 

  • have had an allergic reaction to any vaccine or anaphylaxis to anything
  • have previously received a JEV vaccine. Some people are eligible for a booster dose, contact us for more information.
  • are pregnant
  • have a weakened immune system 

Groups currently eligible to receive government funded JEV vaccine in the ACT

  • People involved with piggeries or the pork industry in one of the following categories:
    • Works or resides at, or has a planned, non-deferable visit to a piggery, including but not limited to farm workers and their families (including children aged 2 months and older) living at the piggery.
    • Transport workers who transport pigs to piggeries, veterinarians and others involved in the care of pigs at piggeries.
    • Works at, or has a planned, non-deferable visit to a pork abattoir or pork rendering plant.
  • People working directly with mosquitoes through their surveillance (field or laboratory based) or control and management, and indirectly through management of vertebrate mosquito-borne disease surveillance systems such as:
    • Environmental health officers and workers (urban and remote).
    • Entomologists or other personnel who work directly with mosquitoes.
  • All diagnostic and research laboratory workers who may be exposed to the virus. Such as persons working with JEV cultures or mosquitoes with the potential to transmit JEV; as per the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
  • People who are engaged or have the potential to undertake prolonged outdoor work in areas of high JEV concern. Examples include recovery efforts (clean up) of stagnant waters following floods. Areas of high JEV concern include local government areas in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

How to book in for a JEV vaccine

If you meet the eligibility criteria, there are two options available to you to receive the JEV vaccine: 

  1. You can call one of the following clinics to book in for your appointment.
  • Travel Doctor – TMVC Canberra – Canberra City, 02 6222 2300
  • Dickson Medical and Travel clinic – Dickson, 02 6257 3853
  • Ochre Medical Centre Tuggeranong Square – Greenway, 02 6175 0400
  1. You can be vaccinated by your usual General Practitioner (GP). The vaccine will need to be ordered by your GP after talking to you about your eligibility so you will need to book an initial appointment to discuss the vaccine, then an appointment to receive the vaccine. Please call your GP to find out more information. 

More information 

More information about JEV and further eligibility criteria can be found on the ACT Government JEV vaccination webpage, including actions the community can take to protect against mosquito bites. Privately funded JEV vaccines are available for individuals who do not meet these criteria.

Details about JEV and JEV vaccination, and ordering information for your GP is available from: https://www.act.gov.au/health/topics/diseases/japanese-encephalitis-virus-jev 

If you have any questions please contact immunisation@act.gov.au.