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Florida's hepatitis A outbreak: 3 times more cases than last year

Regular hand-washing and being vaccinated are the best ways to prevent an infection.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — There are three times more hepatitis A cases reported this year across Florida than there were in 2018.

The Department of Health says 1,811 such cases reported through July 6 easily surpasses last year's number at 548 cases. Tampa Bay is ground zero for the infection, with the most activity centered about Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

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Credit: Florida Department of Health

Hepatitis A is a preventable liver disease transmitted through contact with food, drinks or other objects contaminated by small amounts of feces from an infected person.

It's completely preventable: A vaccine can be administrated even two weeks after a person is exposed to the virus, and regular hand-washing is the best way to prevent its spread.

Here's a county-by-county rundown where you can get a vaccine:

Citrus offers free vaccinations for high-risk patients only. Those who are not high risk are dependent on their insurance situations.

  • Vaccinations are offered at 3700 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto, FL 34461

Hardee has free Hepatitis A vaccines for anyone without insurance. If you have insurance, you cannot get it there, and they will refer you to Walmart, CVS or another place that offers the vaccine.

  • 115 K D Revell Rd, Wauchula, FL 33873

Hernando provides free vaccines for the high-risk population and for the uninsured or underinsured. For the general public, the cost is $58 per dose.

  • Spring Hill location - 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606:

For July and August only, immunizations are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No appointments are available.

  • Brooksville location - 300 S Main St, Brooksville, FL 34601:

For July and August only, immunizations are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No appointments are available.

Hillsborough You can get the vaccine at no cost if you are at high-risk or recently exposed to Hepatitis A. The price for those with insurance has been reduced to $25.

  • The immunizations clinic is located at 8605 N. Mitchell Ave., Tampa, FL 33604, and has walk-in services weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (813) 307-8077 if you have any questions.

Manatee will have a free clinic from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 650 27th St. East in Bradenton (at a church) which will also have a food bank. Normally, the cost is $57 per Hepatitis A vaccine. You need two doses.

Normally, the vaccine is free if you’re diagnosed or exposed to the virus as well as for the high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men; drug users, those who have contact with known cases, the homeless, individuals with a history of Hep B and C and inmates in jail underinsured and uninsured, and children through their 19th birthday. Call ahead for an appointment.

  • 410 6th Ave. E, Bradenton, FL 34208

Pasco It’s free for high-risk patients, and the underinsured or uninsured. They do accept some insurances but urge those with insurance to get vaccinated at a pharmacy. They prefer to reserve their Hepatitis A vaccines for those who can’t afford it otherwise. They offer vaccines at these locations:

  • New Port Richey: 10841 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 (727) 861 – 5260 option 1
    Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Except holidays) 
  • Wesley Chapel: 33845 FL-54 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 (813) 780-0740 option 1
    Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Except holidays)
  • Dade City: 13941 15th Street Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 521-1450 option 1
    Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Except holidays)

Pinellas offers free vaccines at all of these locations:

  • St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
  • Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N.
  • Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Rd.
  • Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave.
  • Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave.

Polk offers free vaccines for kids up to their 19th birthday, those in high-risk categories including men who have sex with men; drug users, those who have contact with known cases, the homeless, individuals with a history of Hepatitis B and C and inmates in jail. They do take some insurances; but if you have to pay full price, it’s $55 per dose.

  • Auburndale Clinic: 1805 Hobbs Rd.
  • Bartow Specialty Care Clinic: 1255 Brice Blvd.
  • Haines City Clinic: 1700 Baker Ave. E.
  • Lakeland Clinic: 3241 Lakeland Hills Blvd

Sarasota offers the Hepatitis A vaccination to those in the high-risk group for free. For those not in the high-risk group, the cost is $61.40 per shot, for the two-vaccine series. They say most health insurance plans cover the cost of the Hep A vaccine, while some may have a co-pay depending on the plans.

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