Residents in certain areas of Hammond are now eligible to receive a free vaccine to protect them against the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV).

The virus is a rare but serious disease that exists in a transmission cycle between mosquitoes, pigs/and or water birds. It is not transmissible between humans as the only way to catch it is by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Most people who have the virus won’t have any symptoms, however, in serious cases people may experience:

• Tiredness 
• Fever and headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Weakness
• Abnormal movements

People aged 2 months and older who have a primary residence or are employed in Murray Bridge and Mannum and surrounding districts in the post codes of 5238, 5253, 5254 and 5259 AND spend at least 4 hours outdoors most days can receive the free vaccine.

Those eligible will need to provide proof of primary residence or a letter from their employer if they would like to receive the vaccine.

Bookings can be made at the participating vaccine providers listed below:

• Mannum Medical Centre - 1 Parker Street, Mannum 5238
• Mannum Lutheran Church Hall - 84 Cliff Street, Mannum 5238
• Bridge Clinic - 8 Standen Street, Murray Bridge 5253
• Bridgeview Family Practice - 3-5 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge 5253
• Murray Bridge Vaccination Clinic - 108 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge 5253

Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick MP commends SA Health for offering this protection to South Australians who are most at risk of catching the virus.

“I encourage those of you who are eligible to consider getting this vaccine, particularly those who live and work in and around areas that are at increased risk like piggeries.”

“No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is important we continue to ‘Fight the Bite’ by wearing long, loose fitting clothes, using insect repellent, and eliminating unnecessary water sources for mosquitoes to breed in,” Mr Pederick said.