Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care has expanded eligibility for free hepatitis A vaccines to include residents, visitors and close contacts of Peguis First Nation aged six months and older. The province announced the change on Feb. 2, 2026, amid an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak.
The new eligibility covers Peguis First Nation community members, anyone travelling to or working in Peguis, and people who have household visitors from the community. Previously, free hepatitis A vaccination in Manitoba was generally limited to specified “high-risk” groups (for example, people with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, people who use injection drugs, or those exposed to a confirmed case).
According to provincial and local health briefings, vaccines will be available through the Peguis Health Centre and other local health services; the briefings also note the use of mobile outreach clinics and an immediate rollout scheduled as of Feb. 3, 2026. The province’s public news release says eligible individuals can access the vaccine through primary care providers, local public health offices, nursing stations and health centres. Residents should contact the Peguis Health Centre or Manitoba Health for current clinic locations, hours and whether appointments are required.
Provincial public-health messaging says broadening eligibility is intended to reduce barriers to protection and limit person-to-person transmission during the outbreak. This expansion is being implemented in the Interlake region, where repeated flooding in recent years has made community-wide preventive measures a priority for local and provincial health planners.
