Manitoba Health has made the hepatitis A vaccine free for anyone attending the 2026 Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, and visitors. The move comes as the province continues to deal with a large outbreak that was officially declared in April 2025. So far, 784 cases have been reported, along with 165 hospitalizations and four deaths. The Island Lake area, which includes St. Theresa Point, Garden Hill, Wasagamack, and Red Sucker Lake, has seen the most cases of hepatitis A in the province since the outbreak began.
The updated rules were announced on July 3, 2026. Free shots are also available to people living in the two host communities, Norway House Cree Nation and Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. The games are split into two parts. The first ran from July 8 to 12 in Norway House, and the next is set for August 10 to 15 in Sagkeeng. Between 2,000 and 4,000 young Indigenous athletes are expected to take part in the first games held in 15 years.
People in St. Theresa Point and the other Island Lake communities can already get the vaccine for free. The same goes for anyone traveling to or working in those areas, and people who have visitors from there. Those rules have been in place since May 2025. The province has slowly added more groups to the list as the outbreak spread to other First Nations and into Winnipeg.
MBC Radio reports that Manitoba Health says the overall risk to the public remains low. But they urge residents to check their vaccination status. Free doses can be picked up at local health services, nursing stations, and public health offices. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s top public health doctor, said the outbreak has been serious for over a year. He added that the recent travel advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not change that. The advisory asks American travelers to take normal steps like hand washing.
In Garden Hill, a state of emergency was declared in November 2025. Grand Chief Alex McDougall of Anisininew Okimawin, which represents the Island Lake First Nations, said poor housing and a lack of clean water and sewer systems helped the virus spread. The council has said more than 1,500 people are on housing waiting lists across the four communities.
