Hep Team Chicago was in full force at the 25th Annual Northalsted Market Days festivities, which occurred Aug. 5-6 in Lakeview. The concerted effort of the organization resulted in a record number of hepatitis A and B vaccinations given.
The group, composed of clinicians, clerical staff and an outreach team, worked the streets at the event and also had a booth. The project delivered big, dispensing 440 complimentary vaccinations—or one every two minutes they were offered.
Also known as vaccine-preventable hepatitis, hepatitis A and B are serious liver diseases that are more prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) than among the general population. The strains of hepatitis are two of only three sexually transmitted diseases for which vaccination is available.
The Market Days effort was yet another successful outing for Hep Team Chicago, following appearances at the Pride Parade and the Gay Games.
See www.hepteamchicago for more about the team. Clinic and provider information is also available at 800-243-2437.