It is important to vaccinate now against JE virus if you are eligible because it takes up to four weeks following vaccination to develop a protective immune response to the JE virus.
The FWLHD free JE vaccination clinics will be held:
- Balranald MPS (Market Street, Balranald) on Wednesday, 2 November 2022 from 1pm to 6pm
- Buronga HealthOne (3 Pitman Avenue, Buronga) on Thursday, 3 November 2022 from 1pm to 6pm
- Wentworth Hospital, Community Centre (Silver City Highway, Wentworth) on Friday, 4 November 2022 from 8am to 2pm
Vaccinations are by appointment only by calling 08 8080 1216.
You can receive a JE vaccination if:
- You live and work in the Wentworth or Balranald Local Government Area (also including Albury, Berrigan, Carrathool, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Federation, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay Shire, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee and Temora) AND
- You are aged 50 years or older AND
- You spend a significant time each day outdoors (four hours or more).
Eligibility also includes people who live or routinely work in any of the above listed LGAs who:
- are engaged in the recovery efforts (clean up) of stagnant waters following floods, OR
- are living/sleeping in conditions that place them at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes
As well as the free FWLHD clinics next week, JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners (GPs). People who meet the above criteria should make an appointment with their doctor and let them know it is for the JE vaccine.
GPs may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for people travelling to some overseas counties, but these vaccines are available for purchase on the private market.
Everyone is urged to stay vigilant and take precautions against mosquito bites altogether because, aside from JE, mosquitoes carry a range of viruses for which there are no vaccines.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites now by:
- wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks, especially around dusk and dawn
- applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin, using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming, being sure to always apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
- avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk, unless wearing mosquito repellents and protective clothing
- covering openings such as windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no have gaps in them
- removing items that might collect water (such as old tyres, empty pots) outside your house where mosquitoes can breed
- improving drainage on your property so that water does not become stagnant
- using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitos (mosquito coils should only be used outside).
For further information on JE vaccination go to:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/JEvaccine
For information on how to protect yourself: www.health.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes