Children in the UK are to be immunised against chickenpox at the same time as measles, mumps and rubella.
The NHS across the UK’s four home nations will administer a combined vaccine to young children to protect them against all four diseases from Friday.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, which has been used since 1988, is being replaced by a combined MMRV vaccine that includes immunisation against chickenpox, also known as varicella.
Infants will be offered two doses, at 12 and 18 months, to reduce their risk of catching chickenpox. The first appointments at GP surgeries to receive the vaccine are being held on Friday.
The move brings Britain into line with the approach already taken in the US, Canada, Australia and Germany, where the combined MMRV jab is part of routine vaccination schedules. It has sharply reduced chickenpox cases and associated hospital admissions in those countries.
“This is a hugely positive moment for children and their families, providing protection against chickenpox for the first time and adding to the arsenal of routine vaccinations we give to children to safeguard them against serious illnesses”, said Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s joint medical director.
Chickenpox is a common childhood infection that spreads easily. Official figures show that half of all children will contract chickenpox by the age of four and 90% by the time they turn 10.
It is usually mild, causing a rash of itchy spots which can last up to two weeks. Children who get it are advised to stay away from nursery or school until their spots have all formed a scab, usually five days after they appeared.
Chickenpox can also cause serious complications, such as chest infections and fits, which need hospital care.
Until now most parents who wanted a child to be immunised against chickenpox have had to pay for it privately, usually at a cost of about £150. But the NHS has also given it free to people in close contact with someone at higher risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of chickenpox.
“Today marks a historic milestone in protecting our children’s health. For the first time the NHS is offering chickenpox vaccination as part of our routine childhood immunisation programme”, the health secretary, Wes Streeting, said.
“Many families have faced the threat of chickenpox, which can cause serious complications. The disease also brings significant worry and disruption, with children missing nursery or school and parents forced to stay home to look after them.”
Helen Bedford, a professor of children’s health at University College London, said the UK had delayed adopting other countries’ practice because of the link between chickenpox and shingles.
“After a chickenpox infection the virus becomes dormant in the nerves but can reactivate later, presenting as shingles. Shingles is very nasty. There was concern that if circulation of wild virus was reduced as a result of childhood vaccination, the lack of ‘top up’ immunity that you get when virus circulates might lead to an increase in shingles.
“We now have a shingles vaccine programme for older people and have the benefit of other countries’ experience of a varicella vaccination programme. The decision is evidence-based.”
The MMR jab is being replaced with the MMRV vaccine after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises ministers, recommended the move.
The switch is projected to save the NHS an estimated £15m a year, from fewer GP visits and hospital admissions, and families about £24m in lost income and productivity.
Neil Gray, the Scottish health secretary, said: “This is a major step forward in protecting the health of our children into adulthood and for generations to come.”
