The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is offering vaccinations today to recent guests of Red Robin who might have contracted hepatitis A at the south Springfield burger restaurant.
The health department recommends customers who ate at the restaurant, 3720 S. Glenstone Ave., from May 8-16 contact their health care provider. The department set up a temporary vaccination clinic at Remington's, 1655 W. Republic Road, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. today and 7 a.m.-noon tomorrow. Mercy will provide vaccinations from noon to 4 p.m. May 24-26 at the Smith Glynn Callaway Clinic, 3231 S. National Ave., according to a news release.
A viral infection of the liver, hepatitis A can easily be transmitted from person to person in a food service environment. The infection, which can result in sickness ranging from mild symptoms for a few weeks to severe issues lasting several months, is characterized by symptoms including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea, clay-colored bowel movements, dark urine, joint paint and jaundice, according to the health department.
While a significant health risk, most people are now commonly vaccinated for the illness, according to the release. The temporary clinic is set up for those who have missed the vaccination. As many as 5,000 people could have been exposed to the illness, according to
USA Today.
The department was made aware of the issue this week after the restaurant chain discovered a recently diagnosed employee worked at the local restaurant while possibly contagious, according to the release.
In a statement, Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB) said the corporate office was informed May 19 about the possible health scare in Springfield.
"We are working closely with the health department, which has fully inspected the Springfield Red Robin and deemed it to be safe," the statement says. "Upon being informed of the incident, the Springfield Red Robin took all safety measures to ensure the well-being of our guests and team members, including arranging the inoculation of all Springfield team members with the immune globulin prophylaxis shot."
According to the statement, the unnamed employee has not been in the restaurant since May 16 and will not return to work until granted medical clearance.
Red Robin also this week reported first-quarter revenue of $340.5 million, an 11.1 percent increase, and pushed net income 26 percent to $11.9 million from $9.5 million a year ago. The company operates 362 Red Robin eateries and holds franchise agreements for another 129, according to a financial release.
RRGB shares were trading at $73.16 as of 10:23 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $49.98 to $86.83.
