Province Reminds Manitobans to Check Meningococcal Vaccine Eligibility Following Invasive Meningococcal Disease Outbreak

Press Release

January 14, 2026

Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are advising Manitobans of an elevated number of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases caused by serogroup W since December 2023.

In 2025, four deaths and 23 confirmed cases of serogroup W were reported in Manitoba, which is approximately five times the expected number of cases. Most cases have occurred in the Northern Health Region and have disproportionately affected Indigenous communities. Infants under 12 months old are most at risk, although cases have occurred in all age groups.

In addition to routine immunizations offered at 12 months of age and in Grade 6, up to two additional doses of the meningococcal conjugate quadrivalent (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine may be offered to infants and children aged six weeks to under 12 months who:

• live in an Indigenous community within Manitoba;
• travel regularly to Indigenous communities in Manitoba; or
• have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba.

Public health officials urge all Manitobans to check their immunization records and see their health-care provider to ensure they are up to date with routine meningococcal immunizations.

Additionally, children born between Jan. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023, can receive the Men-C-ACYW vaccine even if they have previously received a meningococcal C (Men-C-C) vaccine. Under Manitoba’s ‘once eligible, always eligible’ policy, individuals who missed receiving a dose of Men-C-C or Men-C-ACYW vaccine at 12 months of age or in Grade 6 can still receive a dose of Men-C-ACYW vaccine.

IMD is a very serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial illness. Symptoms typically develop two to 10 days after exposure and may include a dark purple rash that does not change colour when pressed on, severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and a stiff neck. The disease can progress very rapidly and about one in 10 people with IMD do not survive. Survivors can experience long-term effects, including hearing loss, brain damage or limb amputations.

Receiving the Men-C-ACYW vaccine protects individuals from meningococcal disease and helps control the outbreak by reducing the number of people who carry the bacteria in the nose or throat. Ensuring everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated is important for reducing transmission and preventing new cases.

Meningococcal bacteria spread though person-to-person contact by coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing personal items such as water bottles or food. Many people carry the bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick and can unknowingly pass it to others.

Most IMD cases are caused by five types of the meningococcal bacteria: A, B, C, Y and W.

To find out eligibility for meningococcal immunization, visit https://www.manitoba.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html. More information on IMD and case numbers, which are updated the first Friday of each month, are available at https://www.manitoba.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/meningococcus.html.

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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.

IHT5