Bar Patrons Get Hepatitis Inoculations

More than 250 patrons of the Fisherman’s Bar in San Clemente got inoculations this weekend against hepatitis A, taking advantage of an offer from the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The shots were offered free at the agency’s San Clemente clinic to anyone who ate at the pier restaurant two weekends ago. A waiter who had hepatitis A served drinks and prepared salads at the eatery through that weekend before finding out he was sick.

For the most part, restaurant customers interviewed were unworried and planned to go to the eatery again.

“I am pleased to find out about this and pleased they are offering shots,” said Tom Marshall of Laguna Hills, who got inoculated along with his wife, Debra, and daughter, Lizzie.

Marshall, like others who formed a steady stream of shot seekers at the agency’s branch office in San Clemente, praised the effort to give customers immune globulin to combat hepatitis A.

Several of those who showed up for their shots said the restaurant probably would be extremely safe in the future, because management would be especially diligent. Some of the customers knew one another, because unlike the summer months when the restaurant draws a large tourist business, during the late winter it is patronized by locals and a host of regulars.

Jody Nguyen, public health nurse, said most people who sought shots “are very appreciative” of the free inoculations against the illness. “They have a smile on their face when they leave,” she said.

The virus that causes hepatitis A is transmitted through contact with contaminated feces and blood. Good hygiene and hand washing commonly prevent transmission. Hepatitis A--unlike hepatitis B and C, which can have long-lasting effects on liver function--is not a chronic disease. The majority of people who get it have mild symptoms, and more than 99% recover with no lasting effects.

The disease can be prevented by vaccination or antibody shots with immune globulin. Symptoms include jaundice, vomiting, lack of appetite, malaise, sometimes fever and abdominal pain. They can range from serious to mild. Children generally have milder symptoms.

Health officials offered inoculations to patrons who ate at the restaurant March 11-13. There is “a low risk” that patrons may have been infected, said County Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.

The immune globulin shot provides antibodies to combat the disease and is effective only if given within 14 days of exposure. It differs from vaccinations, through which the body is exposed to a virus and over time develops its own antibodies.

The health agency gave 160 shots on Saturday and 100 on Sunday.

Sibylle Schoenfeld of San Clemente was inoculated Sunday along with her husband, Virl.

“I’m a nanny,” she said. “I would have gone anyway for a shot, but my job motivated me too. I didn’t want to take a chance.”