To accommodate the large number of people seeking a hepatitis A vaccination as a result of a previous warning about an Alma restaurant, the public health unit has added additional vaccination clinics.
About 340 people received a vaccination on Jan. 22, one day after Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health urged anyone who had eaten at Marj’s Village Kitchen between Jan. 2 and 20 to get a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible.
The health unit temporarily ran out of the vaccine before reopening the clinics to the public on Jan. 23. It was reported over 700 people had been vaccinated as of Jan. 23.
To accommodate the numbers of people seeking the vaccination public health is holding clinics at its Fergus location on Jan. 24 from 10am to 3pm and Jan. 25 from 1 to 5pm.
Public Health officials are asking anyone with questions or concerns to call a special hepatitis A line at 519-823-4920. The phones will be answered over the weekend.
“Public Health’s job is to keep people as healthy and safe as possible so I am very encouraged by the public response,” said Dr. Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for WDGPH.
“It is very important to get your vaccination as soon as possible after exposure. Our clinics are busy, but we are confident we have enough vaccine for everyone. Please don’t hesitate to come out.”
Anyone who ate only baked goods at the popular restaurant is not at risk, officials announced on Jan. 23.
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver infection with symptoms that can last a few weeks to several months. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, dark urine and yellowing of the skin. The virus is rarely fatal and is not known to cause long-term infection.
