People aged ≥2 months who live or work in, or are planning travel to, a JE risk region of Australia AND who may be bitten by mosquitoes are recommended to receive JE vaccine

Risk regions are determined by states and territories and may change depending on areas in which Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is detected.  

• Individuals who may be at risk of mosquito bites include those who:
• regularly spend time outdoors
• are experiencing homelessness or living in conditions with inadequate mosquito protection
• participate in outdoor activities such as camping, fishing or hunting  
• live in proximity to a piggery, pig abattoir or pig transport business
• participate in flood recovery or other natural disaster response activities  
• work in a high-risk occupation*, e.g.  
  • veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary students and others involved in the care of pigs
    • people who work at or have a planned visit to a piggery, pig abattoir, or pig transport business
      • people who work directly with mosquito surveillance or management programs, such as environmental health workers and entomologists

*States and territories may define risk regions for people who are occupationally exposed (e.g. pig and mosquito workers) more broadly than for people residing in or travelling to a risk region. See state and territory guidance for specific information  

People who are at ongoing risk of being infected by JE virus may need booster doses.

The need for a booster dose of JE vaccine depends on:

• the person’s age when they received their primary vaccination course  
• the vaccine used for the primary course 

See Table. Recommended doses of Japanese encephalitis vaccines.

Avoiding mosquitoes

All people who are at risk of being infected by JE virus and other mosquito-borne diseases should understand the importance of avoiding mosquitoes. This is a key step towards reducing the risk of JE and other mosquito-borne diseases. 

Ways to avoid mosquito bites include:

• using insect repellents containing diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and applying according to manufacturer’s instructions
• using mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated nets)
• minimising outdoor exposure when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dusk and dawn  
• wearing loose clothing that covers exposed skin, including feet
• using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
• covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
• removing stagnant water or items that may collect water, and covering rainwater and septic tank openings