MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Earlier this week, state officials announced a partnership between the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to expand Florida's response to the current rise in Hepatitis A cases statewide.

Since January 2019, there have been over 1,700 confirmed Hepatitis A cases in Florida.

The new partnership will mean more vaccines and manpower across the state mobilized to control and prevent the spread of the outbreak.

This collaboration with the CDC will increase our vaccination outreach to protect more Floridians from this preventable disease and more aggressively promote awareness on how they can protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez.

Meanwhile, in Manatee County the health department held a free Hepatitis A vaccination event at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach on Friday. It comes days after a Hepatitis A case was confirmed in a worker at the Ugly Grouper restaurant on Holmes Beach.

“We had just eaten at the grouper place,” says Susan Taylor, who received her vaccination at the event Friday. 

Health experts say the “Havrix” vaccine can last in your system for almost 10 years.

“One of the best and most effective ways to curb the spread is through effective vaccinations,” says Tom Iovino, Florida Department of Health communications director. 

For Taylor, the disease hits close to home.

“My mother passed away from Hepatitis C,” Taylor says.  

Although not the same illness, she hopes the county's efforts can help everyone stay safe. 

There will be another free vaccine event July 6 at the Manatee County Health Department from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information on Hepatitis A and getting vaccinated, call 941-708-5951, or visit the health department's website at http://manatee.floridahealth.gov.