The confirmation of five cases of Hepatitis A in northern Michigan has prompted the Grand Traverse County Health Department to host special clinic hours to offer vaccinations to the community today (Saturday) from 10am to 1pm at the department's offices at 2600 LaFranier Road.

The vaccination will be offered to individuals with or without insurance; those who can't afford the vaccination or don't have insurance can receive it for free. Hepatitis A is a serious, highly contagious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus can be spread through contaminated food or water, sexual contact, or by living with an infected person. The illness can appear 15-50 days after exposure and last for several weeks. In some cases, Hepatitis A can be fatal.

Although not all people infected with Hepatitis A experience illness, symptoms can include: nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, feeling tired/fatigue, fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale-colored feces, and joint pain.

Four cases of the virus have been reported in Grand Traverse County and one in Leelanau County. Since August 2016, there have been at least 736 cases of Hepatitis A identified across the state, primarily in southeastern Michigan. More than 80 percent of cases have been severe enough to lead to hospitalization. The Grand Traverse County Health Department is working with state officials and participating in the State’s Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) to monitor Hepatitis A cases.

The Hepatitis A virus is vaccine preventable. While the vaccine is recommended as a part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, many adults have not yet been vaccinated, according to the Grand Traverse County Health Department.

Other upcoming extended clinic walk-in hours for vaccinations at the Grand Traverse County Health Department include: 

Wednesday, February  21: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Wednesday, February 28: 7am-8am
Wednesday, March 7: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Wednesday, March 14: 7am-8am
Wednesday, March 21: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Wednesday, March 28: 7am-8am