Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Protect yourself and your family against Japanese encephalitis – if you’re eligible, get the free vaccine now.
Free JEV vaccination is available for a limited time for the following eligible groups:
As per the Australian Immunisation Handbook, JEV booster doses are recommended 1–2 years after the primary dose for those with ongoing risk of JEV exposure for:
These booster doses are funded as part of the South Australian JEV vaccination program for people who meet all other eligibility criteria.
Please note: People aged 18 years or older at time of vaccination who were vaccinated with Imojev do not require a booster dose.
Free JEV vaccination is also available for people who work at, reside at, or have a planned non-deferable visit to a:
People eligible to receive a JEV vaccine will need to provide evidence of property ownership or primary residence in an eligible LGA (ie rates notice, electricity bill, address linked to Medicare card) or a letter from their employer if working in an eligible postcode (PDF 140KB).
A letter template for employers (DOCX 28KB) can be completed by your employer as proof of eligibility.
Guests and/or visitors of people with a primary or secondary residence are not eligible.
Persons who require JEV vaccine as they are travelling overseas are not eligible under this program, and instead should contact a travel medicine clinic.
You can get a free JEV vaccine at the participating vaccine providers below. Don’t forget to take your proof of eligibility with you.
Vaccination is free for eligible people at vaccination clinics and pharmacies. GPs may charge a consult fee for vaccination appointments.
| Suburb | Clinic name and location | Age | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barmera 5345 | Barmera Medical Clinic 24 Hawdon Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Barmera 5345 | Barmera Pharmacy 20 Barwell Road |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Berri 5343 | Berri Medical Clinic 29 McGilton Road |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Berri 5343 | Riverland Plaza Pharmacy 32 Kay Avenue |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Berri 5343 | Living Well with Dr Wilson 26 Kay Avenue |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Coonalpyn 5265 | The Dukes Medical Centre 18 Paynter Terrace |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make booking |
| Goolwa 5214 | Alexandrina Council 11 Cadell Street (City of Onkaparinga Clinic) |
2 months+
|
Bookings essential - click to make a booking at Goolwa |
| Goolwa 5214 | Priceline Pharmacy 20 Cadell Street |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and booking |
| Goolwa 5214 | The Cadell Street Clinic 31C Cadell Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Karoonda 5307 | Karoonda Medical 13 Stokes Road |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Lameroo 5302 | Mallee Medical Practice 1 Vardon Terrace |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Loxton 5333 | Loxton Health Centre 11 Anzac Crescent |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Loxton 5333 | Loxton Pharmacy 4-6 East Terrace |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Mannum 5238 | Mannum Medical Centre Parker Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Mannum 5238 | Terry White Mannum Riverside 86-88 Randell Street |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Mannum 5238 | Terry White Mannum Green 65-75 Adelaide Road |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Meningie 5264 | Coorong Medical Centre 2 South Terrace |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Mount Compass 5210 | Mt Compass Pharmacy Shop 4, 30-34 Victor Harbor Road |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Murray Bridge 5253 | Bridge Clinic 8 Standen Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Murray Bridge 5253 | Bridgeview Family Practice 3-5 Bridge Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Murray Bridge 5253 | Priceline Pharmacy Murray Bridge 23-51 South Terrace |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Pinnaroo | Mallee Border Health Centre 29 Hensley Street |
2 months + | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Port Elliot | Port Elliot Medical Clinic Cnr North and Montpellier Terrace |
2 months +
|
Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking
|
| Renmark 5341 | Renmark Medical Clinic 65 Thurk Street |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Renmark 5341 | United Chemists Renmark 227 Renmark Avenue |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Renmark 5341 | Priceline Pharmacy Remark 10-12 Renmark Avenue |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Strathalbyn 5255 | Strathalbyn Council Chambers 1 Coleman Terrace |
2 months + | Bookings essential - click to make a booking at Strathalbyn |
|
Strathalbyn 5255
|
Strathalbyn Family Medical Centre
|
2 months +
|
Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking
|
| Tailem Bend 5260 | Murraylands Medical Practice 70 Princes Highway |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Tailem Bend 5260 | Tailem Bend Pharmacy 75 Railway Terrace |
5 years+ | Contact the pharmacy for eligibility and to make a booking |
| Waikerie 5330 | Waikerie Medical Centre 2 Strangan Road |
2 months+ | Contact the clinic for eligibility and to make a booking |
Imojev is a ‘live’ attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the live virus JEV. Imojev can be given to people over 9 months of age with no contraindications. You cannot receive Imojev if you have had a product containing immunoglobulin in the preceding 3 months.
Imojev is available at participating pharmacies, GPs and council clinics.
The inactivated vaccine JEspect, previously available for people unable to have Imojev, is no longer available as part of the funded program. Speak with your immunisation provider for information on vaccine options.
The Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination Program fact sheet (PDF 312KB) has more information about the JEV vaccines, including:
JEV vaccines available in Australia are highly effective and safe.
The vaccines have been used extensively over many years in Australian Defence Force personnel, residents of the Torres Strait Islands and travellers to Southeast Asia. Both vaccines are used extensively in childhood and some adult vaccination programs in countries with ongoing transmission of JEV.
As with any medicine, there is a very small chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction. Severe reactions to JEV vaccine are very rare.
Common side effects of JEV vaccines may include:
Side effects usually occur within 3 to 7 days after receiving the vaccine and only last a few days.
You still need to protect yourself from mosquito bites because:
The SA Health Mozzies suck webpage provides information on protecting yourself and your family against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, including how to:
If you have any questions or need to report an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI), you can: