A VACCINE for chickenpox is set to be dished out to children as part of the UK’s routine jabs programme.
Two doses could be offered to children aged 12 and 18 months after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation gave the jab the green light.
GettyChildren are set to be offered a vaccine for chickenpox as part of the NHS routine jabs programme[/caption]
The Government advisers said the jab will help reduce “tragic, more serious cases” of the common illness if given final approval by the Department of Health and Social Care.
It could spell the end of “chickenpox parties”, when parents deliberately get their children infected at a young age to reduce how serious their symptoms are.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, of the JCVI, said: “Chickenpox is well known, and most parents will probably consider it a common and mild illness among children.
“But for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox or its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalisation and even death.
“Adding the varicella vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme will dramatically reduce the number of chickenpox cases in the community, leading to far fewer of those tragic, more serious cases.
“We now have decades of evidence from the US and other countries showing that introducing this programme is safe, effective and will have a really positive impact on the health of young children.”
Chickenpox, known medically as varicella, is an extremely common infection that affects around 90 per cent of children in the UK by the age of 15.
The JCVI’s recommendation has been submitted to the the Department of Health and Social Care, which will have the final say on whether and when the jabs will be dished out.
It has also recommended a temporary catch-up programme for older children be included.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Introducing a vaccine against chickenpox would prevent most children getting what can be quite a nasty illness – and for those who would experience more severe symptoms, it could be a life saver.
“The JCVI’s recommendations will help make chickenpox a problem of the past and bring the UK into line with a number of other countries that have well-established programmes.”