On May 23, 2018, the West Virginia state health officer strongly urged food service and restaurant owners in Kanawha and Putnam counties to have their workers vaccinated against hepatitis A. He called it a proactive step that followed CDC guidance.
At that point, eight food businesses in Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell counties had a worker with confirmed hepatitis A. No customer had become ill from food served at those places. The state counted 106 confirmed, probable and suspected cases, including 59 in Kanawha County, 28 in Putnam County and 10 in Cabell County.
The state asked the county health department to run vaccination clinics for food service workers. Clinics ran from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 25 at the health department, May 30 at the Charleston Civic Center and June 1 at the St. George Conference Center at Court and Lee streets. The state bought an extra $550,000 in vaccine so cost would not be a barrier.
Officials said the risk to the general public stayed low. The vaccine was advised for people who use drugs, people who are homeless, men who have sex with men, people recently in jail and their close contacts.
This guidance is from May 2018. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.