A vaccine for chickenpox could be offered to children on the NHS as part of the UK's vaccination programme.
Toddlers could be given two doses at 12 and 18 months after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) called for it to be rolled out.
The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme, which at the moment includes the MMR and meningitis jabs. Scientists said adding the vaccine to the NHS's schedule would "dramatically reduce rates" as well as preventing the most serious cases.
In Scotland and the rest of the UK, the vaccine is only currently offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications. Countries which do roll out the chickenpox jab have much lower rates of the virus, the scientific name for which is varicella.
The JCVI has also recommended a temporary catch-up programme for older children be included in the programme for anyone not given the jabs as toddlers.
The recommendations have now passed to the government, with officials at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to consider the next steps. Most health policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is devolved to the department's counterparts.
The chickenpox vaccine has been given in other countries, including the US and Australia, for many years but the NHS has always said there is a worry that introducing it in the UK could increase the risk of chickenpox and shingles in adults. It said that if a childhood chickenpox vaccination programme was introduced, people would not catch the virus as children, leaving unvaccinated children to get chickenpox as adults, when cases can be more severe.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
But thinking around the vaccine has now changed. Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, chairman of the JCVI, said most parents would likely consider chickenpox - known for its itchy pock marks on the skin - as a relatively mild illness.
"But for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox or its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalisation and even death." he said. "Adding the varicella vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme will dramatically reduce the number of chickenpox cases in the community, leading to far fewer of those tragic, more serious cases."
The virus usually presents itself in children under the age of 10, and creates antibodies which prevent most people from catching it again. Common symptoms include:
- an itchy, spotty rash anywhere on the body
- high temperature
- aches and pains
- loss of appetite
Sir Andrew added: "We now have decades of evidence from the US and other countries showing that introducing this programme is safe, effective and will have a really positive impact on the health of young children."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.
