COLUMBUS – Columbus Public Health is providing free hepatitis A vaccines to employees of an East Side restaurant and anyone who ate there earlier this month after confirming that a worker had contracted the disease.
CPH is hosting a free, public vaccination clinic today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CPH (240 Parsons Ave). We are encouraging people who visited Eddy’s Chicken and Waffles (1808 E. Livingston Ave) between February 1-11, 2019 to get vaccinated and watch for symptoms of hepatitis A. pic.twitter.com/4wrQjJIM1C
— Columbus Health (@ColumbusHealth) February 18, 2019
Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health have investigated 270 cases of hepatitis A, conducted outreach and provided vaccinations since a statewide outbreak was declared in 2018.
Columbus Public Health also has provided more than 3,500 vaccines in the community, focusing efforts on at-risk populations, which include people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, people who have recently been incarcerated, men who have sex with men and travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common.
Hepatitis A vaccines are also available from healthcare providers and retail pharmacies. Residents are encouraged to call ahead first to make sure a particular location has the vaccine on hand. The vaccine is covered by most insurance plans.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease that is spread when hands, food or objects contaminated with stool are put in the mouth.