Australia Expands Access to Japanese Encephalitis Virus Vaccine

In recent years, mosquito-transmitted Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) outbreaks have occurred in many parts of southern and eastern Asia.

According to health agencies, JEV has extended beyond its traditional boundaries to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Torres Strait and has been detected in Victoria, Australia, since 2022.

To help protect people from this disease, Victoria's Chief Health Officer announced on October 31, 2024, that more Victorians would have protection this mosquito season, with the Allan Labor Government expanding the eligibility of the free JEV vaccine program across the state.

This means people in Alpine, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, and Mitchell, as well as local government areas, can access the JEV vaccine.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said in a media release, "Summer provides mosquitos with an ideal breeding ground. In addition to getting vaccinated against JEV, Victorians in high-risk areas should take simple actions, like wearing loose-fitting clothes and using mosquito repellent."

This announcement means ValnevaSE's IXIARO® (JESPECT®) vaccine is now available to about seven million people in 24 regional local government areas in southeast Australia at a higher risk of exposure to the virus.

Furthermore, over 110 million international visitors are expected to visit Victoria in 2024.

IXIARO is the only JEV vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The U.S. Department of Defense has relied on IXIARO since 2010 to protect personnel deployed to JEV-endemic areas.

Valneva recently announced that IXIARO/JESPECT sales increased by 31% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023.