Protect yourself and your community from hepatitis A

What is hepatitis A? 

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. It can spread easily from person to person through: 

• Unwashed hands (always wash hands with soap and water before handling food or after using the washroom) 

• Food or water 

• Close contact with someone who is sick 

People with hepatitis A may feel: 

• Very tired 

• Sick to their stomach 

• Feverish 

• Pain in the stomach area 

• Dark urine 

• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) 

Some people may not feel sick at first but can still spread the virus to others. 

Protect yourself and others 

You can help stop the spread of hepatitis A by: 

• Getting vaccinated 

• Washing your hands with soap and water 

• Practicing safe food handling 

• Drinking clean water 
• Not sharing needles
• Using safer substance use supplies 

• Staying home if you feel sick

 The best protection is the vaccine 

The hepatitis A vaccine is: 

• Safe 

• Effective 

• Free for eligible people in Manitoba 

 

NEW: Expanded Vaccine Eligibility (July 2026)

In response to the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Manitoba, eligibility has expanded.

The hepatitis A vaccine is now available free of charge to all Manitobans aged 6 months or older who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Live in an Indigenous community in Manitoba
• Travel regularly to Indigenous communities in Manitoba
• Have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba

Children born on or after January 1, 2010, who meet the criteria above remain eligible for a second dose. During the current outbreak response, receiving the first dose as soon as possible remains the priority because one dose provides strong protection for at least 10 years. The second dose can be given later for expected lifelong protection.

The vaccine is also available for: 

• Anyone, 6 months or older, identified as a contact to a case during routine public health follow-up 

• People travelling to or working in Indigenous communities in Manitoba
• People with household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba  

• People experiencing homelessness  

• People with certain medical conditions 

• People who share drug equipment  

• Inmates of correctional facilities

The hepatitis A vaccine is given as a two-dose series. During the current outbreak response, receiving the first dose as soon as possible is the priority. The first dose provides strong protection for at least 10 years, while the second dose provides expected lifelong protection.

For complete eligibility information, visit Manitoba Health’s vaccine eligibility page.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html#HA

Get vaccinated today 

Talk to: 

• Your local nursing station 

• Community Health Centre 

• Public Health Office 

• Health Care Provider 

Don’t wait. Protect yourself and your community from hepatitis A 

Working together to protect First Nations 

KIM is advocating to expand the hepatitis A vaccine eligibility for all First Nations in Manitoba. 

Expanded vaccine eligibility is now available to all Manitobans aged six months and older who live in, regularly travel to, or have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba. KIM continues to support proactive public health measures that help prevent future outbreaks.

We should not have to wait for outbreaks to occur before communities can access protection. 

We are calling on the province to expand vaccine eligibility for all First Nations to help prevent further spread.