Hepatitis A vaccine for young children in Barry
Last updated: Monday 17th August
If your child is 1 to 5 years old and lives in Barry, or goes to a nursery, school or childcare setting in Barry, you can get a free hepatitis A vaccine.
There is an outbreak of hepatitis A in Barry. The vaccine can help protect children, their families and other people.
Hepatitis A is a virus that can harm the liver. It can spread easily. Young children may not feel ill but they can still pass the virus to other people who can become severely ill.
We know the virus is spreading in Barry. We have not found one place where the outbreak started.
Who can have the vaccine?
The vaccine is for children aged one to five who:
OR
- Go to a school, nursery, childminder, playgroup or other childcare setting in Barry.
How will my child get the vaccine?
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board will contact parents and carers. You will get a text message or letter with details about how to book your child’s appointment.
Vaccinations will start at Barry Hospital on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
The clinic will be open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and Saturday.
If you have not had an invitation yet, please do not worry. It should arrive in the next few days.
Why are young children being offered the vaccine?
Young children can have hepatitis A without feeling ill. They may still pass the virus to other people who can become very ill.
Public Health Wales and its partners are continuing to investigate. We have traced people who have been in contact with confirmed cases and we have offered them vaccination where appropriate. However it is still circulating in the community. This is why we are offering the vaccine to young children in Barry.
The vaccine can protect children. It can also help reduce the chance of the virus spreading to families and other people.
The hepatitis A vaccine has been used safely for many years around the world. Trained staff will check that your child can have it.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an infection caused by a virus. It can harm the liver.
Symptoms of the illness can include:
- High temperature
- Flu-like symptoms such as tiredness, headache and muscle pains
- Feeling sick
- Stomach discomfort
- Dark urine
- Pale poo
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, which may be harder to see on brown or black skin
If you are worried that you or your child may have hepatitis A, contact your GP or NHS 111 Wales. Please call before you go to a clinic, GP surgery or hospital.
Wash your hands with soap and water
Washing your hands well is also very important, always use soap and water:
- After using the toilet
- After changing nappies
- Before making food
- Before eating food
Please help young children to wash their hands well.
Is it safe to visit Barry?
Yes. People who live in Barry and people who visit can carry on with their normal activities.
Keep washing your hands well with soap and water. Do this after using the toilet or changing nappies. Also do it before making or eating food.
Where can I find more information?
For more information about hepatitis A, its signs and how it spreads, visit the NHS 111 hepatitis A webpage.
Important information about the Hepatitis A Vaccination Programme
Frequently asked questions for parents and carers
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver.
Many young children have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Even if they seem well, they can still pass the virus to other people.
I think someone in my home may have symptoms. What should I do?
· Keep them at home.
· Contact your GP or NHS 111.
· Follow the advice you are given.
Seek urgent medical advice if your child develops severe stomach pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Further information about hepatitis A can be found here.
Why has my child been invited for Hepatitis A vaccination?
Public Health Wales is part of an Outbreak Control Team investigating a small number of Hepatitis A cases in Barry. Public Health Wales and partners are sharing this information with all parents and guardians of children who live in Barry, or who attend a school or childcare setting in Barry, because hepatitis A infection can often cause very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all in young children. This means infection can sometimes spread without anyone knowing. Providing this information widely ensures that families are aware of the current situation and understand the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A. A vaccination programme being offered to children between the ages of 1 and 5 years old and live or attend a childcare/education setting in Barry. The vaccine is being offered to children to help stop hepatitis A spreading in Barry, to help protect others within the community and to protect children before the start of the new school term.
Does my child need the vaccine if they seem well?
Yes. Young children can have hepatitis A without showing any symptoms. Even when they seem well, they can still pass the virus to other people.
The vaccine helps to protect your child and helps reduce the spread of hepatitis A within the community.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes.
The hepatitis A vaccine has been used for many years and has a good safety record.
The vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot cause hepatitis A.
The most common side effect is soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given.
How quickly does the vaccine work?
The vaccine starts to provide protection a few days after it has been given.
One dose is expected to help reduce the spread of hepatitis A in Barry and provides protection for up to12 months.
How many hepatitis A vaccinations does my child need?
As part of this outbreak, we are offering one dose of hepatitis A vaccine to help stop the infection spreading in Barry.
This dose will help protect your child against hepatitis A. However, it will not give lifelong protection.
If your child plans to travel to a country where hepatitis A vaccination is recommended, please speak to your GP practice or a travel clinic for advice about any further hepatitis A vaccinations they may need.
What if my child has already had a hepatitis A vaccine in the last 12 months or has had two doses?
If your child has already had two hepatitis A vaccines, they do not need another dose.
If your child has had one hepatitis A vaccine within the last 12 months, please speak to the vaccination team by calling 02921 841234.
What if I am not sure whether my child has had a hepatitis A vaccine before?
If you are not sure, please contact the vaccination team by calling 02921 841234.
Please do not ring your GP to obtain this information.
What if my child is unwell on the day of their appointment or we are going on holidays during the vaccination programme?
If your child is unwell or you are away when your appointment is due, please don’t worry.
Please contact the vaccination team by calling 02921 841234. They will be able to advise you and discuss other appointment options if needed.
My child lives in Barry but attends a childcare or education setting outside Barry. Can they have the vaccine?
Yes. Children who live in Barry can have the vaccine, regardless of where they attend childcare or school.
My child does not live in Barry and does not attend a childcare or education setting in Barry. Can they have the vaccine?
No. This vaccination programme is only being offered to children who live in Barry or attend a childcare or education setting in Barry.
This is because these children are most likely to come into contact with the virus during the current outbreak.
My child visits or stays with in Barry. Can they have the vaccine?
No. Children can only have the vaccine as part of this programme if they live in Barry or attend a childcare or education setting in Barry.
I have older children at home. Should they have the vaccine?
Currently, the vaccination programme is only being offered to children aged 1 to 5 years.
Children between 1 and 5 years old are being offered the vaccine because they often have very mild illness or no illness but can still spread the virus to others.
Good handwashing remains the best way to prevent infection.
Has a particular school, nursery, business or venue caused the outbreak?
No. No single school, nursery, business or public venue has been identified as the source of the outbreak.
Is it safe to attend school, nursery and community activities?
Yes. Children should continue with the daily activities as normal.
The only time someone should stop their normal activities is if they have symptoms and then should remain at home and seek medical advice via their GP or NHS 111.
What if I have more than one child who can have the vaccine but only a letter about 1 child and not the other?
You can bring all children to the same appointment if they are between the age of 1 to 5 years old, live in Barry or attend a childcare/education setting in the Barry area.
I have some questions about the vaccination. Who can I contact if I have questions?
You can contact the vaccination team by calling 02921 841234.
Please do not ring your GP or 111 about vaccination information.
