Hepatitis Vaccination Clinics Coming To Area Gay Bars, Nightclubs

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Thursday it will offer six mobile vaccination clinics at gay bars and other nightspots to combat a hepatitis A outbreak that began in August 2016. According to MDHHS, gay and bisexual men - all men who have sex with other men - are at “high risk” for hepatitis A. Since the outbreak began, MDHHS reports 24 deaths from the liver disease.

MDHHS has offered vaccination to a number of groups during the outbreak, including people who work in restaurants.

Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with MDHHS, says the vaccine is a literal lifesaver. “Making it convenient for this high-risk group to get vaccinated is another proactive effort by the state and our local partners to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease,” Wells said. “The hepatitis A vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in protecting someone who may be exposed to the disease. We appreciate the willingness of these venues to provide their locations to conduct vaccination clinics and help stop the spread of hepatitis A,” she added.

Patrons 19 years and older can get free vaccinations from mobile clinics at the following venues:

• Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 – 10 p.m. – Liberty Bar, 85 North Saginaw St., Pontiac
• Sunday, Feb. 11, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Adam’s Apple, 18931 West Warren, Detroit
• Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 – 11 p.m. – Menjo’s, 928 West McNichols Road, Detroit
• Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Hayloft, 8070 Greenfield, Detroit
• Monday, Feb. 26, 10 p.m. –1 a.m. – GiGis, 16920 West Warren, Detroit
• Wednesday, Feb. 28, 8 – 11 p.m. – Soho, 205 West 9 Mile Road, Ferndale

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the feces of those infected and is spread by eating contaminated food (or drinking contaminated water), via sex or by living with someone who has hepatitis. There are many risk factors for contracting hepatitis. Illegal drug users, people who are homeless or living in transient situations, the recently incarcerated and people with existing liver disease also fail into higher risk groups.

Hepatitis A symptoms include nausea and vomiting, belly pain, fatigue,loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine and joint pain. To avoid hepatitis, MDHHS strongly recommends getting vaccinated. People should also wash their hands regularly throughout the day and should avoid sex with infected partners.

For more information about hepatitis A, vaccination locations and the Michigan outbreak, visit Michigan.gov/hepatitisAoutbreak.

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