Czech Republic Needs Additional Hep A Vaccines

The Czech Republic (Czechia) is currently experiencing what may be the largest hepatitis A epidemic in the last 46 years, as reported by Ivana Lesková from MF DNES.

Since the arrival of the virus from Slovakia in April 2024, the State Institute of Health has documented 2,141 cases of hepatitis A and 26 related fatalities, including ten in Prague.

As of October 28, 2025, the Institute of Health has noted a significant increase in demand for hepatitis A vaccinations.

This year alone, more than 127,000 doses have been administered—almost double the total from last year. Due to this surge in demand, there are currently shortages of the vaccine.

However, the State Institute for Drug Control has announced to the local media that extraordinary vaccine shipments are on their way to the Czech Republic.

This vaccine shortage extends the HepA risk to over 20 million international travelers who may visit Czechia this year.

Currently, the U.S. CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers aged 1 year or older visiting Czechia in 2025 speak with a healthcare provider about immunization options. 

For international travelers who are allergic to a vaccine component, they should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides adequate protection for up to 2 months, depending on the dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart for a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and, at the same appointment, receive immune globulin, says the CDC.