Introduction to Chickenpox Vaccine
A vaccine for chickenpox will be introduced for the first time next year at the NHS in England. The varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150.
New NHS Immunization Program
Under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS immunization program for childhood, in addition to the current vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. The joint committee for vaccinations and immunization (JCVI) recommended that the varicella jab should be given to young people in two doses as babies.
Availability and Protection
The MMRV vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) will be available for babies aged 12 and 18 months and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year. According to the NHS, the vaccine offers around 98% protection in children after two doses and about 75% protection in adults. Further booster cans are also not required.
Symptoms of Chickenpox
Common Symptoms
The best-known symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, stained rash over the body. Before this appears, however, children can have a high temperature, loss of appetite, and generally feel uncomfortable.
Complications
Chickenpox usually gets better within one to two weeks, but some children can develop complications such as bacterial infections like Group-A-Strep. In the rarest of cases, the virus can cause brain swelling, severe pneumonia, and a stroke, which sometimes leads to death.
Reaction to the New Plan
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam described the wider rollout as "excellent news" and said it would help "to prevent what is a bad illness for most, and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a lifesaver". Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, also said that it was "an extremely positive moment for families".
Current Vaccination Rates
The announcement takes place after the UKHSA numbers have shown that none of the most important vaccines in childhood in England reached their recording goals last year. About 91.9% of five-year-olds have received a dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, and only 83.7% of children aged five years had received both MMR cans. The varicella vaccine is already part of the routine vaccination plans in a number of countries, including Germany, Australia, Canada, and the USA.
