Private suppliers charging $300 for vaccine, opposition calls to expand eligibility for free dose
SA’s opposition has called for wider access to free JEV jabs as locals in flooded areas fear for the safety as the cost of privately supplied doses soars.
SA News
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The Opposition has called to expand the eligibility criteria of the free Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine, as the cost through private suppliers has been revealed in the hundreds.
The free vaccine is available at clinics and pharmacies located in select Riverland communities for residents, river shack owners and emergency service workers.
It is understood private suppliers are charging ineligible South Australians up to
$300 for a single shot because vaccine stocks are dwindling.
The state Liberal party has expressed concerns for displaced residents, those assisting with flood clean up and tourists who are “unable” to protect themselves.
Calling it a “postcode lottery” Opposition leader David Speirs said the strict eligibility criteria for the vaccine is concerning and a risk to thousands of South Australians.
“The vaccine is only available for those who have got a postcode associated with a property that they’ve got,” he said.
“But we’re dealing with a disaster recovery at the moment.”
Mr Speirs fears the price will dissuade people from taking part in the recovery or slow it down.
“It might make it less attractive for people to do so and then push out the recovery,” he said.
“So there’s a real challenge here, we’re worried that it will put people’s health at risk.
“People might take a punt and go up there anyway, potentially exposing themselves to Japanese encephalitis without being appropriately vaccinated.
“But also they might not bother to go at all, slowing down the clean-up and not providing really important support to relatives who might need them at this time.”
Rod Pearce, doctor and owner of Medical HQ Glynde, said we must get to the “front foot” of this virus so “we’re not waiting till we’re picking up people who are sick or dying with Japanese encephalitis”.
Daily discussions are had at Dr Pearce’s practice because they have patients who have homes in flood affected areas which he said are “two stories under water”.
“They’re talking about the recovery and who’s going to help with recovering,” he said.
“We’ve been keen to get vaccines in our practice so we can give it to patients who have to go out there working.
“We can’t get access to them,” he said. “We’re told we’re not in the right postcode.”
Dr Pearce said even if residents usually live in the Riverland, they cannot get access to the vaccine in Adelaide as the doctors practice isn’t located within the postcode requirements.
Residents who have evacuated their homes must travel back to the flood affected regions to receive their free vaccination.
Shaun Irvine is the president of the Pelican Point Association and he is facing a $300 bill to be vaccinated again JEV he said.
Mr Irvine represents 71 shacks at the flood affected region, four of which have permanent residents eligible for the free vaccine, leaving 67 families without free protection.
“It’s pretty sad that we can’t get this for free,” he said.
“David called it a postcode lottery, we call it postcode prejudice.”
Mr Irvine’s mum, Maureen Irvine, lives at her families Pelican Point shack and was eligible for the free vaccination.
She evacuated her home on October 28 last year and has been “displaced since then”.
Mr Irvine is looking to help restore his family’s home however is “very scared” of catching the potentially lethal virus.
Environment Minister Susan Close said due to limited vaccine supplies, SA Health has needed to prioritise eligibility criteria.
“There are limited vaccine supplies, so SA Health has been in the position of having to work out how and when to appropriately expand the availability, but to make sure that they are prioritised due to limited supplies,” she said.
“SA Health has expanded recently to shack owners, that’s an example of being responsive because they have enough supply to do that.
“We will continue to listen to SA health advise on when and how we can expand should that become necessary.”
Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said “SA Health is closely monitoring uptake of JEV vaccination by the current eligible population”.
“Any change in criteria will involve consideration of stock availability, mosquito monitoring data and the number of cases in the community.”
Prof Spurrier urged those at the most risk to get vaccinated.
“We have already seen an excellent uptake of JEV vaccine by residents along the Murray River, emergency services workers and residents whose properties have been impacted by the flooding,” she said.
Prof Spurrier said 17,437 doses have been administered so far.
Late last year, a Riverland man was the first detected case in SA this mosquito season.
The man in his 80s was in hospital for a number of days with serious symptoms.
Prof Spurrier said the diagnosis was not unexpected due to increased mosquito population in flood-affected areas.
“In this case it resolved, but it doesn’t always resolve, it’s a very serious condition that can affect anybody of any age,” she said.
Ten people have contracted the disease in South Australia since December 2021, with all cases needing hospital treatment and two deaths.
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