In addition to the store's employees, Island Public Heath is recommending people who purchased and ate raw produce or unwrapped food, that wasn't later cooked, at the following times and dates also get vaccinated as a precaution:
- Feb. 26: afternoon and evening
- Feb. 27: late afternoon and evening
- Mar. 1: all day
- Mar. 4: evening
Customers who used the self-checkout are not considered to be at risk. The health authority says the alert does not apply to food products from any other Superstore.
A drop-in immunization clinic for store employees and eligible members of the public is being offered Saturday from 10 a.m. PT to 3 p.m. PT at the Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo.
VIHA says additional clinics will also be held over the next few days at dates and times yet to be determined.
When given within 14 days of exposure, the hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection from the virus.
Health officials say people who have had the virus in the past or who previously received two doses of the vaccine are already protected.