Overview of the Czech Hepatitis A Situation
Public health officials in the Czech Republic are monitoring a significant Hepatitis A outbreak that began in April 2025 in Ostrava and has since spread to multiple regions. As of now, there are about 2,141 reported cases and 26 deaths, including ten in Prague. This marks the largest outbreak in decades and far surpasses last year’s figures, which recorded 676 illnesses and two fatalities.
The surge has reignited discussions about vaccine eligibility and public funding. Health authorities are considering expanding vaccination beyond children to include other high-risk groups, with a particular focus on individuals with chronic liver disease who face the highest risk of fatal outcomes.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Matyáš Fošum, deputy chief hygienist and director of the Public Health Protection Department at the Ministry of Health, explains that the State Institute of Health has proposed vaccinating preschool children. However, there is widespread recognition of the need to protect adults most at risk, especially patients with chronic liver conditions who are most prone to severe disease and death from Hepatitis A. He notes that discussions are likely to consider both groups—young children and at-risk adults—depending on expert group consensus and policy decisions.
Fošum acknowledges that if vaccination is added to the children’s calendar, the ministry would need to issue a new decree and coordinate with vaccine manufacturers to secure higher supplies. He also points out that more than 112,000 people have already been vaccinated this year—more than double the figure from the previous year—indicating a robust response to the outbreak and a readiness to widen vaccination access if policy supports it.
Public Health and Vaccination Logistics
Epidemiologist Kateřina Fabiánová emphasizes that the virus spreads easily in populations with low antibody levels and limited access to preventive care. The lasting impact of past outbreaks is instructive: the last major episode in 1979 affected tens of thousands, while the country’s population now faces a different epidemiological landscape with a substantial proportion of susceptible individuals. She advocates for broad vaccination among children to curb transmission, recognizing that children often have milder symptoms but can act as key vectors in spreading the infection.
On the supply and affordability side, infectious disease specialists highlight that vaccination costs can deter vulnerable groups—such as homeless individuals, people with substance use disorders, and other socially disadvantaged populations—from seeking protection. Some experts argue for a dual approach: subsidized vaccination for high-risk groups with insurance support in preventive funds, alongside paid vaccination options for broader cohorts to ensure coverage without overwhelming public finances.
What Experts Predict
According to epidemiologist Fabiánová, the outbreak is unlikely to end soon. “Past experience shows that it can last at least another year or two,” she says, underscoring the need for sustained vaccination campaigns and preventive measures. Pavel Dlouhý, head of the infectious diseases department in Ústí nad Labem and chairman of the Czech Society of Infectious Medicine, argues for targeted paid vaccination to reach those who cannot afford it and to protect the most vulnerable—while still expanding access for essential groups funded by public health insurance.
Takeaway for the Public
The Czech Republic faces a complex balancing act between expanding vaccination coverage, managing costs, and prioritizing those most at risk. With the outbreak potentially persisting for another one to two years, health officials are calling for a strategic approach that protects children to reduce transmission and shields adults with liver disease from severe outcomes. As policymakers deliberate, individuals in high-risk groups should consult their healthcare providers about vaccination options and preventive practices such as good hygiene and safe food handling to reduce exposure.
