Chickenpox vaccine to be offered on NHS next year, as part of routine MMR jab for babies.
The UK Health Security Agency said the varicella vaccination will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year.
A vaccine against chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England for the first time next year.
The varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150.
But under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS childhood immunisation programme - joining the current range against measles, mumps, and rubella.
In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said GPs will be able to offer the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccination from January 2025.
It will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year.
According to the NHS website, the vaccine provides around 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in adults after two doses.
Further booster doses are also not needed.
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news.sky.com
The UK Health Security Agency said the varicella vaccination will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year.
A vaccine against chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England for the first time next year.
The varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150.
But under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS childhood immunisation programme - joining the current range against measles, mumps, and rubella.
In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said GPs will be able to offer the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccination from January 2025.
It will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year.
According to the NHS website, the vaccine provides around 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in adults after two doses.
Further booster doses are also not needed.
Source and further reading:
Chickenpox vaccine to be offered on NHS next year, as part of routine MMR jab for babies
The UK Health Security Agency said the varicella vaccination will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to protect around 500,000 every year.