Eligibility to get a free hepatitis A vaccine has been expanded as an outbreak announced last year continues in Manitoba.
The provincial government announced Friday that those eligible for free vaccines now include people six months or older who live in an Indigenous community in Manitoba, travel regularly to such a community or have household visitors from such a community
The province announced the outbreak in April 2025, when it predominantly affected northern Manitoba communities. Communities with inadequate water infrastructure and sewage in remote communities are more susceptible to ongoing transmission.
The outbreak spread across the province, with an increasing number of cases being identified in Winnipeg, particularly among people with connections to communities experiencing outbreaks, and those experiencing homelessness.
The province says there have been 898 reported cases of hepatitis A, 197 hospitalizations, eight people admitted to intensive care and seven deaths from September 2024 to July 16, 2026.
Shamattawa First Nation, located about 750 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, recently declared a state of emergency amid a hepatitis A outbreak.
Children who meet one of the criteria listed above and were born on or after Jan. 1, 2010, continue to be eligible for a second dose of the vaccine.
People who are experiencing homelessness, use drugs, have certain high-risk medical conditions, and/or are men who have sex with other men are already eligible for a free hepatitis A vaccine.
The vaccine can be accessed through primary care providers, local public health offices, health centres and nursing stations.
The virus is usually spread through person-to-person contact, though it can also be spread through contaminated water and food.
Hepatitis A can be more severe for people with a weakened immune system or chronic liver disease, and for those over 60.
The province is encouraging those who want to see more information to check vaccine eligibility online.