Province Further Expands Hepatitis A Vaccine Criteria To Include Peguis First Nation

Press Release

February 2, 2026

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care advises that free hepatitis A vaccines are being offered to Peguis First Nation community members, visitors and close contacts aged six months and older amid an ongoing outbreak. This expanded hepatitis A vaccine eligibility, already in place for the communities of Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Red Sucker Lake, now includes:

• Peguis First Nation community members;
• anyone travelling to or working in Peguis First Nation; and
• those who have household visitors from Peguis First Nation.

The hepatitis A vaccine is very effective in preventing infection including when it is received after exposure to a case. Eligible individuals can access the hepatitis A vaccine through primary care providers, local public health offices, nursing stations and health centres.

As of Jan. 18, there have been 308 cases of hepatitis A virus associated with this outbreak across Manitoba, mainly spread through person-to-person contact. Overall, the risk of exposure to hepatitis A is low.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Some people with hepatitis A, especially young children, have no symptoms. Others can develop a range of symptoms from mild to severe. If symptoms do develop, the onset is abrupt and can include:

• fever;
• loss of appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach cramps;
• abdominal pain;
• diarrhea;
• dark urine;
• clay-coloured stools; and
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Those with mild symptoms often recover within one to two weeks. The illness can be more severe in some people, especially those who have a weakened immune system or chronic liver disease and people over the age of 60. Individuals with a severe illness can have symptoms for several months.

Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated water, food and close contact with someone who has the infection, even if they do not have symptoms. Washing your hands with soap and water after using the toilet, handling diapers, and before eating or preparing food can help prevent infection if you are exposed to the virus. If soap and water are not available for handwashing, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Anyone who develops symptoms of hepatitis A should contact their health-care provider, especially if they may have been in contact with someone who has been ill.

For more information, contact your health-care provider, public health office or nursing station, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

For more information on hepatitis A, visit https://gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/hepatitisa.html.

For more information on vaccine eligibility in Manitoba, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html.

– 30 –

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

ILR5