Somerset County health officials held a third hepatitis A clinic today in Somerville after administering 550 doses of the vaccines to ShopRite customers Thursday who were potentially exposed to the illness.

Hundreds of people lined up for the vaccines Thursday, and the clinic even had to close early because of the overwhelming number of people.  

Officials said that so many people showed up that they had to cut the line early so that they could get to everyone. The clinic stopped serving new people at 4:30 p.m. It was supposed to stay up until 8 p.m.

Customers of the Somerville ShopRite at 1 South Davenport St. were alerted to protect themselves after a deli worker tested positive for hepatitis A.

Anyone who ate deli food purchased between Oct. 13 and 30, or used the store's restroom, could be at risk.

"We had bought the lunch meat," says Sandy Benko, of Manville. "I checked the packaging on my lunch meat and it was in that period that date period. So, I said I better go get the shot."

ShopRite officials said that the deli area has been thoroughly cleaned and all food handled by the worker has been thrown out.

The Somerset County Health Department is offering the vaccinations for free.

Vaccinations for adults age 19 and older will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

Answers to frequently asked questions about hepatitis A are available here.