MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

 

 

 

WHAT:           HCPHES Hepatitis A Immune Globulin Clinic

 

WHEN:          Wednesday, February 21, 2007 

                      **Update to Media – 3:00pm**


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 20th, 21st and 22nd 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 8th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Thursday, February 22nd  

§         February 9th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Friday, February 23rd

 

(The HCPHES Hepatitis A Clinic will be closed after Thursday, February 22nd.  If you decide to get your Hepatitis A shot on Friday, February 23rd you will need to go to your private physician or a travel clinic.)

 

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

Wednesday, February 21st – as of 1:30pm:

  • 320 people have registered
  • 316 people have been screened
  • 277 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 1:30pm, the entire process is taking approximately 30 minutes.  Currently, there are no long wait lines.

 

HOTLINE

  • HCPHES encourages residents to call the HCPHES hotline at 713.212.0200 through Thursday, February 22nd from 8:00am to 8:00pm or visit our website at www.hcphes.org for more information.
  • The hotline has received more than 1700 phone calls since it opened, Monday, February 19th: 203 calls have been received today, as of 2:00pm.

 

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