In May 2018, the county health department scheduled hepatitis A vaccine clinics for food service and restaurant workers in Kanawha and Putnam counties. The state Bureau for Public Health asked for the clinics during a hepatitis A outbreak in the region.
The first clinic, on May 25, 2018, vaccinated about 520 people. More clinics followed, each from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
- Wednesday, May 30: Charleston Civic Center
- Thursday, May 31: Putnam County Courthouse, second floor of the old courthouse
- Friday, June 1: St. George Conference Center, Court and Lee streets, Charleston
- Friday, June 1: Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, 2848 Putnam Avenue, Hurricane
Workers had to fill out paperwork first, and anyone under 18 needed a parent or guardian. The health department billed insurance with no copay or deductible, and uninsured food service workers got the vaccine at no cost. The state bought an extra $550,000 in vaccine for the clinics. Officials said the risk to the public stayed low.
In June, a clinic opened to more high-risk groups. See the June 22 hepatitis A clinic.