The Manitoba government is expanding access to free hepatitis A vaccinations as the province continues to battle an outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people and claimed four lives.
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care announced updated eligibility criteria this week in response to the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, which was officially declared in April 2025. While the outbreak initially affected several northern Manitoba communities, health officials say cases have since spread to communities across the province, with a growing number being identified in Winnipeg.
The province says increasing infections among people experiencing homelessness and those connected to outbreak communities have prompted broader immunization efforts aimed at slowing transmission.
Under the updated program, children born on or after Jan. 1, 2010, who are at least six months old, are now eligible to receive two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine if they live in an Indigenous community, travel regularly to Indigenous communities, or have household visitors from Indigenous communities.
Several groups remain eligible for a free single-dose vaccine under existing outbreak criteria. Those include residents of several affected First Nations, including communities in the Island Lake region, Peguis First Nation, Bloodvein River First Nation, Cross Lake First Nation (Pimicikamak Cree Nation), Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), Ebb and Flow First Nation and War Lake First Nation. Individuals who work in or travel to those communities, as well as people who receive visitors from them, also qualify.
Winnipeg staff and volunteers at community organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, along with inmates in correctional facilities, remain eligible as well.
The province also continues to provide free hepatitis A vaccines to other high-risk groups, including people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, individuals with certain medical conditions and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
Health officials note that vaccination is one of the most effective tools for preventing hepatitis A and may help prevent illness after exposure if administered within two weeks.
As of June 4, Manitoba had recorded 784 hepatitis A cases since September 2024. The outbreak has led to 165 hospitalizations, eight intensive care admissions and four deaths. Officials say transmission has largely occurred through person-to-person contact, with inadequate water and sewage infrastructure in some remote communities contributing to the spread.
Eligible Manitobans can receive the vaccine through primary-care providers, public health offices, nursing stations and health centres.
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║ HEPATITIS A SYMPTOMS ║
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║ • Fever ║
║ • Loss of appetite ║
║ • Nausea and vomiting ║
║ • Stomach cramps ║
║ • Abdominal pain ║
║ • Diarrhea ║
║ • Dark urine ║
║ • Clay-coloured stools ║
║ • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) ║
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For more information on hepatitis A, click here.
For more information on vaccine eligibility in Manitoba, click here.
