Hundreds of thousands of families with young children will be offered protection against chickenpox as part of their routine childhood vaccinations from today.
The NHS’s vaccination programme is being expanded to include chickenpox (also known as varicella) for the first time to help shield young children from getting seriously ill.
From now on, GP practices will start to offer children a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age to add chickenpox to the protections against measles, mumps and rubella.
Chickenpox is a common infection in children that spreads easily. It is usually mild but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits.
Children will now be offered protection against chickenpox following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations, with a combined MMRV vaccine replacing the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK and, alongside cutting this, the rollout is expected to save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.
Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director for NHS England, said: “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.
“From now, the combined vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox will be available at children’s routine vaccination appointments to keep children healthier and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses. The new vaccine will also help the health service move its focus from sickness to prevention, and keep more children safe and in school.”
The latest data indicates that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of ten.
Children who catch chickenpox are typically advised to stay off school until all spots have formed a scab, which is usually five days after the spots appear. The new vaccine will mean children miss fewer days in nursery or school, and reduce time parents need to take off work to care for them.
