NSW expands eligibility for free Japanese encephalitis vaccine

NSW has expanded the eligibility criteria for the free Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus vaccine in response to recent detections and ongoing risk across regional areas.

People aged two months and over are now recommended to receive a free JE vaccine if they live or work in any of the 68 designated high‑risk local government areas (LGAs), following the addition of eight new LGAs to the list. These newly included LGAs are Armidale, Ballina, Bathurst, Byron, Oberon, Tweed, Walcha and Yass Valley.

Eligibility has also been temporarily expanded for travellers. Until 1 June 2026, people travelling to any of the high‑risk LGAs for outdoor recreation — such as camping, caravanning, boating, hunting or fishing — are eligible and recommended to receive the free vaccine. NSW Health is advising clinicians to have a low threshold for recommending vaccination during the current mosquito season.

Clinicians should review the attached NSW Health clinician alert for full details, including vaccine supply arrangements.

Further information for health professionals is available on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/health-professionals.aspx

JE vaccination eligibility, including the full list of high‑risk LGAs, is available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx