Hepatitis A Restaurant
Protection Program
Hepatitis A is transmitted by infected food and water in developing countries.
This disease is common in developing countries and hepatitis A vaccination
is routinely given to travelers. Hepatitis A outbreaks also occur in North
American restaurants.
A healthy individual may harbour the virus for several weeks before passing
it on to others. Good hygiene and hand washing are not enough to prevent spread.
Certification through a Food Handler course is not enough. The only way to
prevent infection is by immunization. Immunization may be considered to protect
employees, patrons, and the reputations of restaurants. With a hepatitis A
immunization program restaurants will be able to safeguard their establishments
from future hepatitis outbreaks. We have offered a new program to the Manitoba
Restaurant Association and all related food service businesses in Manitoba,
to ensure protection against further outbreaks, by arranging onsite immunization
of employees. Our program administers the vaccine on site, similar to how
our flu program is carried out. Our Physician and Nurse team will visit the
establishment, give a brief presentation on Hepatitis A, screen prospective
employees and administer the vaccine. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe. It
gives protection for 1 year with one dose and it gives lifetime protection
after a second dose taken after 6 months. We are able to offer businesses
a group discount that would be less expensive than having each employee coming
to our clinic individually.
