Canada Faces Hepatitis A Vaccine Shortage Amid Increased Demand

Canada is grappling with a shortage of hepatitis A vaccines as manufacturers struggle to meet the surge in demand coupled with shipping delays, potentially extending the scarcity until spring.

The scarcity affects various types of hepatitis A vaccines supplied by three major manufacturers in Canada: Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), and Merck. Health Canada revealed that all three companies have reported shortages of at least one of their hepatitis A vaccines.

In response, Health Canada is actively investigating these reports to assess the impact on the Canadian healthcare system and patient accessibility, a spokesperson stated.

Hepatitis A, a viral infection primarily affecting the liver, typically spreads through contaminated food or water consumption, or close contact with an infected individual. Symptoms range from mild, lasting weeks, to severe, extending over months, including fever, jaundice, and fatigue.

While fatalities from hepatitis A among healthy adults are rare, pregnant individuals, particularly in their third trimester, face elevated risks. The hepatitis A vaccine entails two doses for full efficacy, with a booster recommended within six to 36 months after the initial dose.

Health Canada underscores the importance of vaccination for individuals aged six months and older at increased infection risk, including travellers to endemic regions, those with chronic liver conditions, and men who have sex with men.

Travellers to hepatitis A-prone areas, especially those with poor sanitation, are strongly advised to seek vaccination due to the prevalence of the disease in such regions.

Patients and caregivers concerned about vaccine access or supply are urged to consult their primary healthcare providers for alternative treatment options or recommendations, Health Canada emphasized.