Thanks to the efforts of the Vanderburgh County Health Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, several hundred inmates are now protected against the hepatitis A virus.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department in partnership with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office vaccinated a total of 300 jail inmates this past Friday, July 13. The vaccine was provided by the Indiana State Department of Health and was administered to inmates as the first wave of a 90 day plan to vaccinate high risk individuals. Prior to the vaccination date, Sheriff’s Office medical staff dedicated time educating the inmates on the benefits of the hepatitis A vaccine. Confinement officers coordinated the movement of inmates to ensure everyone who could be vaccinated was afforded the opportunity. Inmates were vaccinated on a voluntary basis.
According to the Health Department, Indiana is one of ten states nationwide experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak. The hepatitis A virus is spread by consuming food or drinking water contaminated with infected feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department will continue to vaccinate high-risk individuals at the Vanderburgh County Jail and is currently working with other community partners to vaccinate individuals in other high-risk groups. To reduce the risk of hepatitis A transmission, members of high-risk groups should contact the Vanderburgh County Health Department or their primary care provider to determine their immunization status and be vaccinated.
Pictured above: Major Chad Ferguson (rear) with visting staff from the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
