Pop-up Clinics For Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Study

If you would like to take part in a new research study investigating the effectiveness of intradermal administration of the existing TGA-approved Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine Imojev® compared with subcutaneous administration, now is your chance.

Pop-up clinics at Boorowa Ex-Servicemen’s and Citizens Club begin today and tomorrow, Friday, February 24 followed by Thursday and Friday, March 2 and 3.

The study is sponsored by The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).

Funding support comes from NSW Health.

Healthy, non-pregnant people aged five years and older living, working or frequently visiting the Hilltops Local Government Area who do not meet the current NSW Health JE vaccine eligibility criteria are invited to participate in the study.

JE is a rare but serious illness caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes.

Though most infections are asymptomatic, those with severe infection may develop encephalitis leading to death or permanent disability. There is currently no treatment for JE viral infection once acquired. Vaccination and taking action to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes remain the best protection.

The Imojev® vaccine being administered in the study has been used extensively across the world for more than a decade and is proven to be both safe and effective.

Study participants will be randomised in equal numbers to receive the JEV vaccine Imojev® either by intradermal injection – administered into the space between the two outer layers (epidermis and dermis) of the skin – or by subcutaneous injection – administered in the fatty tissue layer (subcutaneous layer) located between the skin and the muscle.

If intradermal vaccination proves effective, more people across NSW and Australia will be able to be protected against JEV sooner.

Participants will be actively followed up over 12 months to collect data on the immune response and safety profile of each vaccine delivery method.

Findings will be published and will inform future vaccination policies and strategies in Australia.

More information on the study can be found on the NCIRS clinical research study page or you can email SCHN-NCIRS-Research@health.nsw.gov.au.

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