14/08/2026
Have you had your free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination yet? 🦟
With spring approaching and mosquito season not far away, now is the perfect time to check whether you're eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine before travelling to a high-risk area.
The ACT Government has extended access to the vaccine until 31 January 2027 for ACT residents travelling to high-risk areas of Australia (subject to stock availability).
ACT residents remain eligible for vaccination if travel to a JE high risk area is planned for after 31 January 2027.
JE is a rare but serious disease spread by mosquito bites. While it has not been detected in the ACT, the risk remains in some parts of Australia.
People eligible for a free JE vaccine:
• aged 2 months or older, and
• travelling to a JE high risk area (see link in comments) for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, boating, hiking, hunting or caravanning.
You are also eligible if you:
• work with pigs or at piggeries or abattoirs
• transport or care for pigs
• work with mosquitoes or mosquito-borne disease monitoring
• work in laboratories handling the virus
• undertake prolonged outdoor work in high risk areas, such as flood clean-up activities
Think you're eligible?
1. Talk to your GP or pharmacist.
2. Let them know you need the government-funded JE vaccine, as they may need to order it.
Call ahead to check vaccine availability at your GP clinic or pharmacy. An administration fee may apply.
You do not need a Medicare card to access the government-funded vaccine.
Find out more about JE vaccination and high risk areas via the link in the comments.
Image description: Camping setup beside a river, with a vehicle and tent under trees. Text reads: “Don’t miss out on your free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine.”
