The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that free vaccination clinics will be held around the state in the coming months to prevent an outbreak of Hepatitis A among at risk populations. While Connecticut has not seen a Hepatitis A outbreak among at risk populations, including IV– drug users and persons experiencing homelessness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase of Hepatitis A (HAV) in at–risk populations nationally and has encouraged all states including those currently unaffected to implement vaccination clinics.
“We have not seen an outbreak of Hepatitis A in Connecticut thus far, and we are actively taking steps to protect our people against such an outbreak by working with our partners in local health to offer free vaccination clinics. While these clinics will be focused on the populations most at risk for infection, they are available to anyone who wishes to be vaccinated,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “In addition to these clinics, I encourage people to speak with their medical providers about Hepatitis A, their risks for infection, and the need for vaccination.”
Connecticut is not currently experiencing an active HAV outbreak with 6 cases reported to date in 2018, however, given the pattern of significant HAV outbreaks seen in other states, there is concern that a similar outbreak could happen in Connecticut.
People who may be at- risk should contact the local health departments of Hartford, Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven, Waterbury, Torrington or New London for more information on vaccination clinics in their area.
Here is the current list of Hepatitis A vaccination clinics:
Hartford:
8/20/18 5–7 pm ImmaCare Shelter, 168 Hungerford Street
8/21/18 7:15–9:45am SSP needle exchange van located at Park and Hungerford Street
8/22/18 4:30–7pm McKinney Shelter, 34 Huyshope Avenue
8/24/18 7:15–9:45am SSP needle exchange van located at Park and Hungerford Street
Torrington:
8/22/18 8:00 am Community Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect Street
The following local health department/districts have expressed interest in providing vaccinations to at– risk individuals as part of the Hepatitis A Vaccination Campaign but have not finalized their plans: Danbury, Stamford, Norwalk, New Haven, Waterbury, Uncas Health District, and the Quinnipiac Valley Health District. These health departments/districts can be contacted for information on upcoming vaccination clinics. Additional clinic dates and locations will provided as they are scheduled across the state.
For more information about hepatitis A visit the DPH website or CDC website.