General News
31 August, 2022
No cases, no vaccine
ELIGIBILITY for Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine will continue to be reviewed, according to the Department of Health. While the Loddon Shire was among municipalities with reported outbreaks earlier this year, it has not been included in expanded...
ELIGIBILITY for Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine will continue to be reviewed, according to the Department of Health.
While the Loddon Shire was among municipalities with reported outbreaks earlier this year, it has not been included in expanded eligibility.
A spokesperson said: “The eligibility criteria for the Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine is based on those most at risk of contracting this virus, especially those who may be exposed at work.
“The expansion of this criteria is aligned with that in New South Wales, given the prevalence of this virus in border locations.
“We’ll continue to review the situation, along with the availability of vaccines, and revise eligibility criteria accordingly,” the spokesperson said.
The eligibility for the vaccine was last month expanded to include those who live or usually work in the Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Campaspe, Moira, Greater Shepparton, Indigo, Wodonga council areas, and who are aged 50 to 65 years and “employed in an occupation that is largely or totally outdoors”.
The department said that while spraying for mosquitoes took place in Loddon as a precaution, “there were no confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis virus in people”.
Loddon Shire sprayed public areas at Bridgewater in April after a department request.
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