N.S. woman living in flood zone disappointed province refuses to fund hepatitis vaccines

A woman from Windsor, N.S., is disappointed that the province is refusing to fund vaccines for hepatitis A and B for people who are exposed to raw sewage. 

Jennifer Moore lives on Stannus Street, where water tainted with sewage floods the street and nearby residential properties nearly every time there's heavy rainfall. 

The water often spews out of catch basins due to the town's overburdened combined sewer and stormwater system. 

During flooding in 2024 that devastated parts of the province, Moore accidentally fell into the contaminated water while trying to pump out her basement and yard. 

A firefighter at the scene advised Moore to talk to a doctor about getting vaccinated as soon as possible. Her physician agreed, and Moore was able to get a tetanus shot free of charge. 

But when she went to get the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, she had to pay $75 for each of the three doses because she wasn't in a "high-risk group." 

According to the Department of Health, the vaccine is not publicly funded for adults, except for people with the following conditions or behaviours: 

• HIV.
• Chronic liver disease.
• High-risk sexual practices. 
• Substance use or harmful use of alcohol. 
• Men who have sex with men. 

In September, Moore wrote a letter to Health Minister Michelle Thompson urging her to consider covering the cost of hepatitis vaccines for people who are repeatedly exposed to flooding. 

In late December, the Department of Health and Wellness informed Moore that it would not be changing its vaccination program to include that demographic. 

"There are many factors to consider when assessing the risk of infections from flood water – extent of raw sewage vs. combined, open cuts/wounds, exposure to mucous membrane, background epidemiology, etc.," said an email from Tara Walsh, senior executive director of Public Health and the Department of Health and Wellness. 

"Generally, however, it is important to note that flood water exposure is considered low risk for contracting hepatitis," said Walsh. 

Moore didn't agree with the decision.

"The amount of flooding that we're seeing in Nova Scotia … it just seemed like it would be an easy thing that they could help us with, and to protect the public from the potential of illness," Moore said.

She said she was not advocating for herself nearly as much as she was trying to make a difference for those who may not be able to afford the cost of the vaccines. 

Moore's neighbour, Alicia Hennessey, said she is concerned about the long-term health effects of living in a flood zone. 

"This is an issue from the municipality and we are just victims of it," she said, referring to the town's sewer and stormwater system that's been a source of contention between some residents and municipal council in recent years. 

Moore, Hennessey and their neighbours have been fighting for a solution that experts say requires a complete overhaul of the system.

CBC has previously reported that this would come at a price tag of approximately $200 million, and council is waiting for results of a study to determine what happens next. 

"We have been waiting for quite some time and the date just kind of keeps getting pushed [back]," said Moore. "We would certainly love to have that study and start to see some results."

West Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian said it should be ready "in the very near future." 

Moore said she will not stop pushing for the province to foot the bill for the hepatitis vaccines, although she's not sure where else to turn at this point.