Chickenpox vaccine to be offered on NHS next year, as part of routine MMR jab for babies

A vaccine in opposition to chickenpox will likely be rolled out on the NHS in England for the primary time subsequent yr.

The varicella vaccination is at present solely obtainable by way of non-public therapy and prices round £150.

However below new plans, the jab will likely be included in a brand new NHS childhood immunisation programme – becoming a member of the present vary in opposition to measles, mumps, and rubella.

In a press release, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) mentioned GPs will be capable to provide the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccination from January 2025.

It will likely be obtainable for infants aged between 12 and 18 months previous, and is predicted to guard round 500,000 yearly.

In keeping with the NHS web site, the vaccine offers round 98% safety in youngsters and about 75% safety in adults after two doses.

Additional booster doses are additionally not wanted.

What are the signs of chickenpox?

Essentially the most well-known symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, spotty rash over the physique.

However earlier than this seems, youngsters might have a excessive temperature, a lack of urge for food, and will really feel typically unwell.

Chickenpox normally will get higher by itself inside one to 2 weeks – however some youngsters can develop issues similar to bacterial infections like group A strep.

Within the rarest instances, the virus may cause swelling of the mind, severe lung irritation and stroke, typically resulting in loss of life.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, the UKHSA’s deputy director of immunisation, referred to as the broader rollout “good news”.

He added it might assist “forestall what’s for many a nasty sickness and for many who develop extreme signs, it may very well be a life saver”.

Amanda Doyle, nationwide director for main care and group providers at NHS England, additionally mentioned it marked “a vastly constructive second for households”.

She added: “We are going to work with vaccination groups and GP surgical procedures throughout the nation to roll out the mixed MMRV vaccine within the new yr, serving to to maintain youngsters wholesome and forestall illness from these extremely contagious viruses.”

Learn extra:
Why are childhood vaccine rates so low?
Bereaved mum urges parents to book kids’ vaccinations

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advisable back in 2023 that the varicella jab must be given to kids in two doses as infants.

It’s also already a part of the routine vaccine schedules in numerous nations, together with Germany, Australia, Canada and the US.

The announcement comes after UKHSA figures confirmed none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached their uptake targets final yr.

Some 91.9% of five-year-olds have acquired one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine – a quantity unchanged from the earlier yr and on the lowest degree since 2010/2011.

Simply 83.7% of kids aged 5 had acquired each MMR doses, down year-on-year from 83.9%, and the bottom degree since 2009/10.

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