UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab

Key Highlights

• The first appointments at GP surgeries to receive the vaccine are being held on Friday. The move brings Britain into line with the approach already taken in the US, Canada, Australia and Germany, where the combined MMRV jab is part of routine vaccination schedules.
• It has sharply reduced chickenpox cases and associated hospital admissions in those countries.“This is a hugely positive moment for children and their families, providing protection against chickenpox for the first time and adding to the arsenal of routine vaccinations we give to children to safeguard them against serious illnesses”, said Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s joint medical director. Chickenpox is a common childhood infection that spreads easily.
• Official figures show that half of all children will contract chickenpox by the age of four and 90% by the time they turn 10. It is usually mild, causing a rash of itchy spots which can last up to two weeks.
• Children who get it are advised to stay away from nursery or school until their spots have all formed a scab, usually five days after they appeared. Chickenpox can also cause serious complications, such as chest infections and fits, which need hospital care. Until now most parents who wanted a child to be immunised against chickenpox have had to pay for it privately, usually at a cost of about £150.
• But the NHS has also given it free to people in close contact with someone at higher risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of chickenpox.“Today marks a historic milestone in protecting our children’s health.