The Louisville Health Department cut the price of hepatitis A vaccinations from $65 apiece to $25 apiece as the city combats a hepatitis A outbreak and prepares for the Kentucky Derby May 5, according to WDRB.
Louisville has been grappling with a severe hepatitis A outbreak, which has affected more than 115 patients since November. Health department officials hope the lower vaccine price tag will encourage vaccinations and put a halt to the outbreak.
However, the timing of the price cut is no coincidence, according to the report.
"We're getting prepared for the Kentucky Derby," said Ruth Carrico, PhD, RN, associate professor with the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. "The last thing we want to happen is for someone to come to Louisville from out of town, become ill, and then take that back to their community. This is how nationwide outbreaks occur."