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Ishita Roy

Chickenpox Vaccines For Children On NHS Start Across UK, Here's What You Need To Know

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/chickenpox">Chickenpox</a></span> vaccines in UK is now available for all young children on the NHS. This is the first time such protection against chickenpox has been offered. The vaccine will combine with the existing MMR jab, which is given at 12 and 18 month of age that is already known to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Children up to the age of six can catch up on doses when invited. 

<h2>What Is The New <span rel="noindex">Chickenpox Vaccine</span>?</h2>

The new vaccine is called the MMRV vaccine, where the V stands for varicella, this is another name for chickenpox. It is also expected to reduce the many thousands of families affected by the infection each year and prevent the most severe cases. As of now, parents would have to pay £200 to buy a vaccine privately to protect their children. 

From January 1, the MMRV vaccine was introduced into the standard list of children's vaccinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland announcing a rollout start date in early January.

Chickenpox is very common among young children. Some of the common symptoms include itchiness, spotty rash which blisters then scabs over. Children could feel unwell for several days along with fever and muscle aches. 

"For some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal," said Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunization at the UK Health Security Agency.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is why the letter “V” has now been added to the standard MMR vaccine. The illness mainly affects children, but anyone can catch it at any age.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/nhs-rolls-out-chickenpox-vaccine-for-kids-what-parents-should-know-article-153385398" data-type="tilCustomLink">NHS Rolls Out Chickenpox Vaccine For Kids— What Parents Should Know</a>

During the pandemic, chickenpox cases fell sharply due to lockdowns and reduced social contact. As a result, experts believe natural immunity to the virus across the population remains lower than usual.

Although uncommon, complications can include serious bacterial infections such as group A streptococcus, brain swelling known as encephalitis, lung inflammation called pneumonitis, and even strokes. Very young babies under four weeks old face a higher risk of severe illness, as do adults who have never had chickenpox before.

<h2>Why Is The NHS Rolling It Out Now?</h2>

Until now, chickenpox vaccination was not routinely offered to all children because of long-standing concerns about shingles. Shingles is caused by the same virus, which can lie dormant in the nervous system for years before reactivating later in life, often when immunity weakens due to age, illness, or stress.

In 2009, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization decided against a nationwide rollout, fearing it could increase shingles cases among middle-aged adults. At the time, it was thought that natural exposure to chickenpox helped protect against shingles later on. More recent research from the United States, however, has challenged and largely dismissed that theory, paving the way for the NHS decision.

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Chickenpox vaccines in UK is now available for all young children on the NHS. This is the first time such protection against chickenpox has been offered. The vaccine will combine with the existing MMR jab, which is given at 12 and 18 month of age that is already known to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Children up to the age of six can catch up on doses when invited. What Is The New Chickenpox Vaccine?The new vaccine is called the MMRV vaccine, where the V stands for varicella, this is another name for chickenpox. It is also expected to reduce the many thousands of families affected by the infection each year and prevent the most severe cases. As of now, parents would have to pay £200 to buy a vaccine privately to protect their children. From January 1, the MMRV vaccine was introduced into the standard list of children's vaccinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland announcing a rollout start date in early January.How Common Is Chickenpox?Chickenpox is very common among young children. Some of the common symptoms include itchiness, spotty rash which blisters then scabs over. Children could feel unwell for several days along with fever and muscle aches. "For some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal," said Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunization at the UK Health Security Agency.Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is why the letter “V” has now been added to the standard MMR vaccine. The illness mainly affects children, but anyone can catch it at any age.Also Read: NHS Rolls Out Chickenpox Vaccine For Kids— What Parents Should KnowDuring the pandemic, chickenpox cases fell sharply due to lockdowns and reduced social contact. As a result, experts believe natural immunity to the virus across the population remains lower than usual.Although uncommon, complications can include serious bacterial infections such as group A streptococcus, brain swelling known as encephalitis, lung inflammation called pneumonitis, and even strokes. Very young babies under four weeks old face a higher risk of severe illness, as do adults who have never had chickenpox before.Why Is The NHS Rolling It Out Now?Until now, chickenpox vaccination was not routinely offered to all children because of long-standing concerns about shingles. Shingles is caused by the same virus, which can lie dormant in the nervous system for years before reactivating later in life, often when immunity weakens due to age, illness, or stress.In 2009, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization decided against a nationwide rollout, fearing it could increase shingles cases among middle-aged adults. At the time, it was thought that natural exposure to chickenpox helped protect against shingles later on. More recent research from the United States, however, has challenged and largely dismissed that theory, paving the way for the NHS decision.

chickenpox vaccines for children on nhs start across uk, here's what you need to know

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Chickenpox Vaccines For Children On NHS Start Across UK, Here's What You Need To Know

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