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Kentucky Reaches Out To Those Most At Risk For Hep A

Teams of nurses in Kentucky are providing the hepatitis A vaccine to jails, homeless shelters, and treatment centers in an effort to reach the people most at risk of becoming infected with the disease.

According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, the teams have provided about 2,100 doses of the vaccine since April.

With 4,700 confirmed cases, Kentucky has some of the highest numbers of hepatitis A in the country.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there have been outbreaks in 25 states, resulting in more than 23,000 cases.  Across the country, there have been 208 deaths, including 58 people in Kentucky.

State Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jeffrey Howard says people with substance use disorder are at greater risk of the disease. Stigma, he says, keep those people from seeking vaccines.

Howard says people at risk in rural areas are especially difficult to reach.

There are 18 additional vaccination clinics scheduled through August.

Stu has been reporting for WEKU for more than 35 years. His primary beat is Lexington/Fayette government.
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