Hepatitis A Vaccine Recommended for People at Higher Risk

Northwestern Health Unit - Special to The Bulletin

Northwestern Health Unit continues to monitor the ongoing Hepatitis A outbreak in Manitoba and encourages people at higher risk to get vaccinated.
As part of an interim strategy, Ontario recommends that individuals 6 months of age and older receive one dose of publicly funded Hepatitis A, if they:

• Live, work, travel to, or receive visitors from any Indigenous community in Manitoba.
  
• Are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and are travelling to or spending time in Manitoba.
  
• Work, volunteer, or provide services in shelters, encampments, or similar settings in Winnipeg.

The vaccine continues to be available for free if you:

• Have chronic liver disease
  
• Use drugs through injection
  
• Are a man who has sex with men
  

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. It spreads mainly through contaminated food and water, or close direct contact with people who are infected. It can also spread through blood or by contact with infected stool. 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. Some people may not have symptoms but can still spread the virus.
Symptoms can include:

• Fever
  
• Feeling tired
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
• Stomach pain
  
• Dark urine
  
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
  

The following communities have been directly impacted in Manitoba:

• Island Lake area (Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, and Red Sucker Lake First Nations)
  
• Peguis First Nation, War Lake First Nation (also known as Ilford)
  
• Bloodvein River First Nation, Ebb and Flow First Nation
  
• Cross Lake First Nation (Pimicikamak Cree Nation)
• Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake Cree First Nation)
  

Vaccination is important in the prevention of getting and spreading Hepatitis A.
Talk to your health care provider or health unit about getting vaccinated.
More information:

Northwestern Health Unit - 1-800-830-5978 or talkpublichealth@nwhu.on.ca
Hepatitis A – Canada.ca