Hepatitis A&C and Influenza: Screenings and Immunizations

Mayor and City Council President Detail Resources within the Capital City

Trenton N.J. – Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and occasionally, the lungs. The best way to avoid contracting the flu is to get a vaccine each year. Individuals who have the flu often have the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, headaches, stuffy nose, and or a fever.

In November 2019, The City of Trenton received a $95,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Local Public Health to subsidize providing vaccines and immunizations. Mayor Reed Gusciora stated “If you know of anyone who shows symptoms, please advise them to seek medical attention. Vaccines are being provided at no cost to residents.” The City of Trenton is advising those who live and work within the City to get vaccinated at the locations listed below.

Vaccines for Hepatitis A and the flu are available to insured, uninsured, and undocumented residents at:

Henry J. Austin Health Center (321 N. Warren St. & 112 Ewing St)

Capital Health Family Health Center (433 Bellevue Ave)

Chambers Manor Family Practice (319 Chambers St.)

There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C, but treatments can be found at:

Henry J. Austin Health Center (321 N. Warren St.)

If you have the flu, then you are most contagious within three to four days of the illness beginning. If you see signs of the illness in family members, then it is important that they receive treatment and modify their activities to reduce the chance of passing it on to others. Anyone can get the flu, so all people who work and live within the City are advised to get vaccinated against influenza. City Council President Kathy McBride stated “Public health is important. Please help spread this information to those within the City.”

Hepatitis A is a communicable liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), and spread through person-to-person contact. All of those who work and live within the Capital City are advised to wash their hands properly to reduce the spread of the virus, receive immunizations, and seek medical help if the following symptoms immerge. Symptoms of hepatitis A can include: fever, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pains, and or jaundice. While, in most cases, Hepatitis A is non-fatal, those who are ill for several weeks can suffer liver damage.

“Unless individuals are already ill (with hepatitis A or a separate mild illness) or are allergic to the vaccine, those who have yet to receive the hepatitis A vaccine should get vaccinated,” asserted Health Director Shakira Abdul-Ali.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It differs from Hepatitis A since it is a blood-borne virus, which means that it is transmitted by blood or bodily fluids; moreover, while Hepatitis A can begin as a short-term infection, it can cause lifelong infection. A final distinction is that there is a vaccine for Hepatitis A; however, there is no vaccine to prevent contracting Hepatitis C. Those infected with hepatitis C can become infected by sharing needles, syringes, and infrequently, through direct exposure to blood.

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