NHS Considers Chickenpox Vaccine for All Toddlers
Health advisors have recommended that all children in the UK receive the chickenpox vaccine through the NHS at 12 and 18 months of age, potentially ending the need for private vaccinations. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has proposed a two-dose regimen to curb the spread of the virus and prevent severe cases among children.
This initiative responds to a rise in unprotected children due to decreased chickenpox cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The JCVI is also calling for a temporary catch-up program for older children that aims to address those who missed the initial vaccine rollout. Catching chickenpox for the first time as a teen or adult can lead to more severe illness.
Could this cause more shingles cases?
Concerns have also been raised over the vaccine resulting in an increased risk of shingles. However, experts argue that experiences from other countries, including the US and Canada, where the vaccine has been implemented for years, do not support these concerns. Shingles, caused by the same varicella zoster virus (VZV) as chickenpox, tends to be more severe in adults who have not been previously exposed to the virus as children.
Is it possible to get chickenpox more than once?
While uncommon, it is possible, and the vaccine does not guarantee lifetime immunity. However, the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of severe cases. Chickenpox, though usually mild and self-limiting, can be highly infectious and is transmitted through respiratory droplets.
As the government reviews the JCVI's recommendations, Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, JCVI chairman, highlights the potential serious consequences of chickenpox, stating, "For some babies, young children, and even adults, chickenpox or its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalisation and even death."
The Department of Health and Social Care is set to evaluate these recommendations, with the possibility of bringing the UK in line with other nations that have successfully implemented childhood chickenpox vaccination programs.
