Washington State Department of Health announces hepatitis A outbreak

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 09/09/2019 01:04 PM PDT

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Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announces hepatitis A outbreak

DOH announced an outbreak of hepatitis A within Washington State on July 30, 2019. The hepatitis A outbreak affects people in multiple counties (King, Pend Oreille, Snohomish and Spokane) who are living homeless or who use drugs.

Next steps:

DOH is working to increase access to vaccines for populations at highest risk during this outbreak.
People most at risk include living homeless, and people who actively use drugs.
Most employees have a low risk of contracting hepatitis A if they comply with hand-washing and other hygiene requirements for their jobs.
Coordinate with your occupational health provider to determine if hepatitis A vaccine should be offered to employees.

Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP)

OTPs wishing to order, store, and dispense hepatitis A vaccine must either get a health care entity license or have a prescribing provider order, store, and dispense the medication under their license.

OTPs have statutory authority to order, store, and dispense medication for treatment of opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and opioid overdose only. For details, see Pharmacy Commission guidance .

For questions about hepatitis A vaccine or vaccine recommendations, email DOH at oicp@doh.wa.gov. We appreciate your partnership in preventing hepatitis A infection.

More information

For any questions related to possible hepatitis A cases, contact your local health jurisdiction .
Click here to read the hep A alert September 6, 2019
For questions about hepatitis A vaccine or vaccine recommendations, email DOH at oicp@doh.wa.gov. We appreciate your partnership in preventing hepatitis A infection.

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than two million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and, beginning in 2020, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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Nondiscrimination

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) complies with all applicable federal and Washington state civil rights laws and is committed to providing equal access to our services. Visit HCA’s website to view complete nondiscrimination statements.