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In a bid to protect children against the chickenpox varicella virus, young children in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will soon have access to a free chickenpox vaccine through the NHS starting in January of the following year. Administered in two doses at 12 and 18 months of age, the vaccine will complement the existing MMR jab, which guards against measles, mumps, and rubella. A catch-up initiative is also in the works for slightly older children to ensure they are not left behind. Historically, parents seeking to safeguard their children from chickenpox have had to resort to privately paying up to £200 for the vaccine.
The underlying hope behind offering the free vaccine is not only to shield youngsters from the potentially severe, albeit rare, complications of chickenpox, but also to alleviate the strain on parents who may need to take time off work to care for an ailing child. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, chickenpox annually results in an estimated £24m in lost income and productivity across the UK. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock emphasized the significance of empowering parents to safeguard their children’s health through this vaccine, thereby providing working families with the necessary support they deserve.
Chickenpox, while typically mild in nature, can pose significant risks for certain individuals, notably pregnant women who may experience complications that impact both mother and baby. Infants and adults, particularly very young ones, are at a higher risk of developing serious illness compared to children. The introduction of the chickenpox vaccine by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) marks a crucial step in reducing the overall prevalence of chickenpox cases, consequently leading to a decline in severe instances. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), views the vaccination as potentially life-saving for vulnerable populations
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