The Cumberland County Public Health Department has administered almost 2,700 doses of Hepatitis A immunizations since Tuesday morning to people who may have been exposed through an employee at the Olive Garden restaurant on North McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville.
By 3 p.m. Thursday, the department had given 570 shots during the clinic's third day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, an estimated 2,100 people were vaccinated.
Residents of other counties should check with their local Public Health Department to see if they have the Hepatitis A vaccine. Military personnel, their family members and retirees can go to Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg for the immunization.
"We are only aware of one case of illness," Deputy Health Director Rodney Jenkins said, referring to the restaurant employee. Getting the vaccine within the first 14 days of exposure will significantly reduce the chance of getting Hepatitis A.
Starting on Friday, only individuals who visited the Olive Garden at 234 North McPherson Church Road anytime on July 29, 31 and Aug. 1, 2 and 8 should contact the Health Department to receive a free injection of Hepatitis A immune globulin or vaccine because there is a 14-day window when the vaccine is effective.
The Health Department clinic will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A phone line is being updated hourly. Call 910-433-3824 for important information. Bring shot records. Individuals current on Hepatitis A vaccine are considered protected from this virus.
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