Ashton's Hep A Scare Shows Insurance's Importance

Fans might swoon for Ashton Kutcher’s infectious smile, now guests at his recent 30th birthday bash might be feeling faint for a different reason.

Late last week The New York City Health Department confirmed that one of the event’s bartenders was infected an infectious disease, hepatitis A. Now the Health Department is asking all attendees of Kutcher's February 7 party—during Fashion Week—at the hot New York nightclub Socialista, to get a precautionary vaccination against the contagious liver disease. Partygoers included Salma Hayek, Kate Hudson, Lucy Liu, Madonna, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler, and Bruce Willis. However, it is likely that during a span of several days the hep-py bartender exposed over 700 people.

The hepatitis A infection can cause flu-like symptoms like loss of appetite; diarrhea and vomiting; tiredness; jaundice or pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach. (This is different from the much more serious hepatitis B or C.) Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A costs about $60; vaccines for other infectious diseases, such as meningococcal and yellow fever, can run well over $100 a pop.

Alarmingly, given the ease of infection, approximately 105 million adults, ages 18 to 64, are not covered for these immunizations by their private insurance, according to a report conducted by the Institute of Medicine. The report, entitled "Financing Vaccines in the 21st Century: Assuring Access and Availability," also estimates that 30 million adults under 65 who are uninsured, meaning that some 75% of adults in that age group lack immunization coverage.

They should get these shots anyway. The Center of Disease Control recommends that anyone exposed to hepatitis A who has not been previously vaccinated should receive the hepatitis A vaccine. Meanwhile, The Healthy Traveler Clinic in Pasadena, California, recommends three basic vaccinations for anyone living in a U.S. metropolitan city: Hepatitis A, typhoid (transmitted through food and water), and tetanus diphtheria. “You never know when you’re going to get a cut or scrape,” says Ramon Bautista of the Healthy Traveler Clinic, regarding the importance of tetanus. “Those three should be your basic armed defense.” Typhoid costs about $50 and tetanus diphtheria only about $10.