Second Erie-area hepatitis A vaccine clinic set after first one runs out of vaccine

A strong demand for hepatitis A vaccine has forced the Erie County Department of Health to schedule a second vaccination clinic after it ran out of doses at the initial one on Tuesday.

The clinic, which is only for Cracker Barrel customers 19 and older who ate the restaurant's food from Feb. 15-21, will be held Thursday from 2-7 p.m. at the Perry Hi-Way Hose Co. Social Hall, 8281 Oliver Road in Summit Township.

The qualifying dates are different from the initial clinic because the vaccine is most effective if received within two weeks of exposure, county health officials said in a news release. After two weeks, other medication is more effective than a vaccine.

A shipment of hepatitis A vaccine was expected to arrive at the county Health Department late Wednesday or early Thursday.

"We're anticipating 500 doses," said Erin Mrenak, county Health Department director.

The initial clinic was scheduled after a food handler at Cracker Barrel, 7810 Interstate Drive, was diagnosed with hepatitis A on Feb. 22. Adults who ate food prepared at the restaurant were encouraged to get vaccinated.

Mary and Tim Brosius arrived 90 minutes early at Tuesday's clinic. The Harborcreek Township couple wanted to ensure they received a shot to protect them.

It was a smart decision.

So many people went to the clinic at the Perry Hi-Way Hose Co. Social Hall in Summit Township that it closed at 3 p.m., four hours early, because it ran out of vaccine.

"We are surprised at the volume," Mrenak said Tuesday afternoon. "The clinic was running smoothly and efficiently."

No additional hepatitis cases have been reported in connection with the food handler as of Wednesday at 11 a.m., Mrenak said.

Birthday meal leads to vaccine clinic visit for Harborcreek couple

Mary and Tim Brosius enjoyed a birthday meal at the Summit Township restaurant about 10 days ago. They were among the first ones to arrive at Tuesday's clinic.

"We were up here anyway, and maybe they would start the vaccine early," said Tim Brosius, 71.

By the time the county Health Department opened the clinic precisely at noon, the social hall's lobby was filled with about 50 people. They had been given numbers to ensure an orderly process.

Any adult who ate food from Cracker Barrel between Feb. 10-Feb. 21 was eligible for a vaccine, as long as they didn't show any symptoms of hepatitis A. The vaccine doesn't work once symptoms have started.

"Once they come in, we send them to registration," Mrenak said shortly after the clinic started. "If they aren't feeling well, we send them to a triage nurse. Otherwise, we take down their information, including when they ate at Cracker Barrel."

County Health Department staff were joined at the clinic by Northwest Pennsylvania Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. Dr. Tim Ward, a family physician, vaccinated Mary Brosius.

"I could feel the vaccine going into my arm," said Mary Brosius, 70. "I wanted to make sure I got it because I'm a cancer survivor from 30-some years ago."

Mood upbeat among those waiting for hepatitis A vaccine

Most of the nearly 100 people who arrived during the first 45 minutes of the clinic didn't seem to be upset that they were spending their lunch break waiting for a shot. A few old friends held impromptu reunions, compete with hugs and smiles.

Since they arrived so early, Mary and Tim Brosius were able to chat with some of the other people getting vaccinated. Mary Brosius said their moods were upbeat, considering the circumstances.

"Everybody was talking with everyone else as we waited, just killing time," Mary Brosius said.

Joshua Blystone was among the youngest to get vaccinated. The 19-year-old Erie man works at Cracker Barrel as a dishwasher.

The Summit Township restaurant held a vaccination clinic for its employees on Monday, Mrenak said. Blystone said that he didn't hear about it, so he and his mother went to Tuesday's clinic.

"I work there, and I eat there quite a bit," Blystone said. "I hope this keeps us safe."

Hepatitis A most transmissible, but almost all recover completely

Hepatitis A is only one of several types of hepatitis, but it is the most transmissible, said Dr. Nabeeha Mohy-ud-din, a hepatologist with Allegheny Health Network, Saint Vincent Hospital's parent organization.

"If a person is infected with hepatitis A, the disease can spread through their feces," Mohy-ud-din said. "They don't practice good hand washing, and they spread it through person-to-person contact or they contaminate food they prepare or handle."

Symptoms usually develop between two and five weeks after exposure and include:

• fatigue

• loss of appetite

• nausea

• stomach pain

• diarrhea

• dark urine

• joint pain

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

"In most cases, people recover fully from hepatitis A even without treatment," Mohy-ud-din said. "In only about 1% of cases does it lead to liver failure. Those at higher risk include people with chronic liver diseases, like cirrhosis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Others at risk include those who are immuno-compromised, like those with HIV."

More: Erie-area Cracker Barrel worker diagnosed with Hepatitis A. What should customers know?

Call doctor, pharmacies if you were exposed and still need vaccine

Mohy-ud-din agreed with Erie County health officials that any adult who ate food prepared at Cracker Barrel on those dates should get vaccinated.

Those who weren't vaccinated at Tuesday's clinic should contact their health provider or local pharmacies. The county Health Department has a help line for those with questions: 814-451-6707.

Children are likely protected through the hepatitis A vaccines that are part of their childhood immunization requirements.

"The hepatitis A vaccine usually lasts for 10 to 15 years," Mohy-ud-din said.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: County Health Department's Hepatitis A vaccine clinic closes early