Free vaccination for deadly Japanese encephalitis vaccine for to all river shack owners regardless of postcode
Despite the floodwaters and a huge clean-up coming, Riverland shack owners have finally had a win – as have all volunteer workers in the region.
SA News
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River Murray shack owners now have access to the free Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine as the program expands to people who have, or who are expecting to have, their holiday property inundated with flooding.
An estimated 3000 holiday homes along the river will be affected by floodwaters and Health Minister Chris Picton said it was important to protect people cleaning up as flood waters recede.
Eligible emergency services workers supporting the Riverland community can also receive the vaccine free, and the government has announced a $1m mental health package for the floods.
Blanchetown holiday home owner Sara Adams – who was previously not eligible because her home address is Golden Grove – welcomed the move.
“I’m delighted to hear this and see that commonsense has prevailed — all the shackies will very much appreciate this,” she said.
Nine people have contracted the disease in South Australia since December last year, with all cases needing hospital treatment and two deaths.
Since the JEV vaccination program began in October targeting priority areas by postcode, more than 13,400 vaccines have been delivered to participating GPs, local health networks, and pharmacies.
A total of 26,500 vaccines have been made available by the Commonwealth and state government.
Mr Picton said more than 10,000 people who live or work in eligible postcodes in the Murray River, Lakes, and Coorong communities have taken the opportunity to receive the JEV vaccine.
“Over the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in vaccine uptake by these communities, and we are pleased to expand the eligibility criteria to those with holiday homes in the region who have been identified at risk of flooding,” he said.
“This is a potentially deadly virus, and any measures those at risk can take to protect themselves should do so.”
Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said: “As South Australia enters its third consecutive La Nina weather season, this has seen a very wet spring and is expected to be followed by a usual warm summer.
“We know that alongside flooding associated with rising water levels in the River Murray, this will create greater mosquito breeding habitat and conditions, which support the transmission of mosquito borne diseases.
“South Australians living in high-risk areas need to take extra precautions this year to be protected against JEV.”
SA Health stresses steps to minimise mosquito bites is equally important to being vaccinated, noting several viruses carried by mosquitoes are not covered by vaccine such as Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Barmah Forrest virus.
People should reduce their exposure by covering up with light-coloured, long sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, applying insect repellent, eliminating water mosquitoes breed in around the home and fitting screens over doors and windows.
While most people infected with JEV will not experience symptoms, a small proportion will develop encephalitis – inflammation of the brain – which can be fatal or cause long-term neurological damage.
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