MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

WHAT:           HCPHES Hepatitis A Immune Globulin Clinic

WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 

                      **Update to Media – 10:00am**

WHERE: Mangum-Howell Center (outside of the Clinic facility)

                        (Formerly Doss Community Center)

                        2500 Frick Rd. , Houston, Texas 77038

TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS A

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) will be providing free immune globulin (IG) shots Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd from 8:30am to 8:30pm for those persons potentially exposed to Hepatitis A at Pappasito’s Cantina (15280 I45 North) on February 7, 8, & 9, 2007.

The Immune Globulin Shot has antibodies to help fight infections.  Immune globulin (IG) is only effective if given within a two-week period after exposure to the disease.  People who dined at this restaurant on:

§ February 8^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Wednesday, February 21^st

§ February 9^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Thursday, February 22^nd

Hepatitis A Vaccinations prompt the body’s own immune system to manufacture antibodies to fight disease.  Vaccinations are only effective when given before exposure to the disease.

CLINIC UPDATE

At the close of the day, Tuesday, February 20^th:

• 1311 people registered
• 1201 people were screened
• 1175 people received the immune globulin shot
• 136 people were Not eligible or left

Wednesday, February 21^st – as of 9:00am:

• 91 people have registered
• 61 people have been screened
• 57 people have received the immune globulin shot

HCPHES has increased the number of nurses who are staffing the clinic.  As a result, it has significantly reduced the time it takes for people to go through the process.  As of 9:30 am, the entire process is taking 45 minutes.  Currently, there are no long wait lines.

HOTLINE

• HCPHES encourages residents to call the HCPHES hotline at 713.212.0200 through Thursday, February 22^nd from 8:00am to 8:00pm or visit our website at www.hcphes.org for more information.
• The hotline has received more than 1500 phone calls since it opened, Monday, February 19^th. 

(For more information, contact Rita Obey at 713-439-6293, Sandy Kachur at 713-439-6292, Martha Garza at 713-439-6193-Spanish)