- From 5 years of ageThe NSW minimum age for a pharmacist to give it
- Free in listed NSW areasDepends on where you live, work or holiday outdoors
- Call before you comeProviders can need a few days' notice to order this vaccine
A mosquito-borne virus, now also in Australia
Japanese encephalitis spreads when a mosquito bites an infected animal, such as a pig or a waterbird, and then bites a person. It cannot pass from one person to another. NSW Health says most people infected have no symptoms, but 1 in every 250 develop severe illness with seizures, paralysis or coma, and some are left with lifelong neurological problems.
Cases have been reported in mainland Australia since 2022, mostly in the warmer months from December to March. Neck stiffness, disorientation or a seizure after mosquito bites calls for Triple Zero (000).
Free vaccine in NSW: check the list
NSW Health funds a free JE vaccine for people aged 2 months and over who live or work in listed high-risk council areas. Until 31 January 2027 it also covers people visiting those areas for camping, fishing, boating or other outdoor recreation, and piggery and pork abattoir workers are eligible anywhere in the state.
Its eligibility page lists the council areas that qualify, and the list changes as the virus turns up in new places, so check your own suburb with the map on that page before you come in. The vaccine itself is free for eligible people, though some providers charge a fee to give it: ring (02) 4930 4442 and ask.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine for travel
The Handbook recommends vaccination for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas of Asia, Papua New Guinea or the outer Torres Strait islands during the transmission season. Shorter trips can still warrant it, especially in the wet season, on repeat visits, with lots of time outdoors, or where rooms lack screens and air-conditioning. NSW Health advises finishing vaccination at least 2 weeks before you leave. The travel vaccinations page helps you plan the other doses.
Keep avoiding mosquitoes
Not getting bitten is the best way to avoid Japanese encephalitis. Mosquitoes can also carry other viruses, such as Ross River and Barmah Forest, so these habits pay off on every outing:
- wear light-coloured long sleeves, long trousers and enclosed shoes
- use a mosquito repellent containing picaridin, DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, applied after sunscreen
- empty stagnant water from around the house
- overseas, sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms, or under a treated bed net
JE vaccine questions
Which vaccine will I be given?
Two are used in Australia. Imojev is a single-dose vaccine, suitable from 9 months of age. JEspect needs two doses and also suits pregnant women and people whose immune system is weakened.
How long until I am protected?
Protection builds over 2 to 4 weeks after the full course, and more than 95% of people respond by about 28 days. Vaccinated people still need bite protection, because other mosquito-borne infections have no vaccine.
Will I need a booster?
Some people at ongoing risk do, particularly those first vaccinated before age 18, during pregnancy or while their immune system was weakened. Your pharmacist or GP can check which vaccine you had.
Other vaccines, from flu to shingles, are on our vaccination services page.
Check your JE protection
Ring Abermain Chemist before you visit so the pharmacist can go through your eligibility and order the vaccine if needed, then drop in on any weekday during store hours.