On 7 November 2025, the Victorian Minister for Health announced more Victorians will have protection from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), with increased eligibility for free vaccines in at-risk regional areas.
JEV is spread to humans through mosquito bites; it is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis (brain inflammation) in Asia and the Western Pacific.
High-risk local government areas where residents are eligible for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine include: Alpine, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Indigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Mildura, Mitchell, Moira, Northern Grampians, Strathbogie, Swan Hill, Towong, Wangaratta, West Wimmera, Wodonga and Yarriambiack.
For more information about JEV, visit MVEC: Viêm não Nhật Bản
Victorian Government media release: Protecting Victorians From Mosquito-Borne Diseases