Vaccine was used in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana

The Kentucky Department for Public Health is investigating a Mt. Sterling, Kentucky-based company after their hepatitis A vaccine caused infections.

Location Vaccination, is owned and operated by Fairshinda Sabounchi McLaughlin under the medical license of Dr. Paul E. McLaughlin, gave vaccinations at various businesses in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana since Sept. 1, 2018.

The DPH is investigating the matter and is contacting businesses the provider worked with.

The agency is compiling a list of cities where the vaccinations were done and none of them are local to the Tri-State. But the areas in Ohio include Pike County, Greenville, Dayton, Georgetown, Norwood, Cincinnati, Columbus, Circleville, St. Bernard, Beech Hollow and Mansfield. Cities in Kentucky include Alexandria, Butler, Georgetown, Lexington, Louisville, Paris, Maysville, Mt. Sterling and Winchester.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health said that people who got a vaccination from the company got related infections and experienced redness, pain or tenderness, swelling, and the development of hard lumps, or nodules, at the injection site. The agency is encouraging people to seek appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.

“If you received vaccine from this provider, we strongly encourage you to consider getting another round to ensure you are fully immunized and not at risk for contracting illness,” said Dr. Jeff Howard, DPH commissioner.

“We believe negative side effects associated with this investigation to be linked to improper storage and handling of the vaccine. We want to emphasize that there is no evidence to suggest that there is an issue with the vaccine supply. The provider has stopped vaccinating and there is no continuing risk to the public.”

Most of the vaccinations were administered at businesses in central Kentucky but Location Vaccination provided services in other areas of the Commonwealth as well as locations in Indiana and Ohio.

Though Location Vaccination has stopped administering immunizations, it is still possible individuals previously vaccinated by this provider could develop an infection.

Symptoms may start from a few days to more than 12 weeks after vaccination. Medical care is advised since infections will likely not get better on their own.

DPH continues to strongly encourage vaccination to protect against hepatitis A, seasonal influenza and all vaccine-preventable diseases.