Free NHS hepatitis A vaccinations for children aged one to five in Barry will begin on Tuesday as health officials work to control an ongoing outbreak. There have been 11 confirmed cases in the town since December 2025, with public health investigations indicating the virus is continuing to spread in the community.
Eligibility and clinic details
The vaccination programme is being offered to children aged one to five inclusive who either live in Barry or attend a school, nursery, childminder, playgroup, or other childcare or education setting in the town. Children only need to meet one of those criteria to be eligible.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said there is currently no evidence of a single location, such as a school, nursery, workplace or public venue, where the outbreak began. Vaccinations will be available at Barry Hospital from Tuesday, with clinics running from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Parents and carers of eligible children will be contacted by text message or letter with an invitation.
Importance of vaccination
Health officials say vaccination is particularly important for young children because they may have few or no noticeable symptoms while still being able to pass the virus to others. Susan Mably, consultant in health protection, said parents and carers should take up the offer to help protect children, their families and the wider community.
Ms Mably said a single dose of the vaccine is “very effective”, providing between 94% and 100% protection within days, and has been used safely for decades. Sion Lingard, deputy director of public health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “Hepatitis A can spread easily and young children may have few or no symptoms while still passing the virus on to others.
“By coming forward for vaccination parents and carers can play a vital role in helping us break the chain of infection and bring this outbreak under control.”
Health advice and symptoms
Residents and visitors can continue with normal activities in Barry, health officials said, but stressed the importance of good hand hygiene. People are advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet or changing nappies and before preparing or eating food.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. Symptoms can include a high temperature, tiredness, headache, muscle pains, nausea and stomach discomfort. More characteristic symptoms can include dark urine, pale stools, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, although this can be harder to see on brown or black skin.
Anyone concerned that they may have symptoms is advised to contact their GP or NHS 111 Wales and to telephone before attending a healthcare setting. Public Health Wales and its partners are continuing to investigate the outbreak, trace contacts of confirmed cases, and offer vaccination where appropriate. Further information about the vaccination programme is available from Public Health Wales' dedicated hepatitis A information page.
