State offers free hepatitis A vaccinations

Greene County residents have two more chances to get hepatitis A vaccinations at no charge to them amid an outbreak in northeast Arkansas that has resulted in at least 94 infections and one death, the state Department of Health has announced.

The department will offer the vaccinations at the Paragould Community Center at 3404 Linwood Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

People will not have to pay out of pocket for the vaccinations, but they should bring their insurance cards and driver’s licenses if they have them, the department said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the hepatitis A outbreak is one of several across the country that have affected primarily drug users and homeless people.

The Health Department has recommended the vaccine for all Greene County residents ages 19-60 and all food handlers in neighboring Clay County.

The disease affects the liver and is typically spread when a person ingests small amounts of fecal matter. Although a person may feel sick for months, most people recover completely and will not have any lasting liver damage, the department said.

Typical symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice.