The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends a universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme should be introduced as part of the routine childhood schedule. This should be a 2-dose programme offering vaccination at 12 and 18 months of age using the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine.
As has been shown in other countries which include varicella in their routine vaccination schedule, a 2-dose schedule is predicted to decrease the number of cases of varicella seen in childhood rapidly and dramatically. The programme will prevent severe cases of varicella, and other serious complications of varicella, which while rare may have otherwise resulted in hospitalisation or other serious outcomes.
A catch-up programme should also be initiated following implementation of a programme to prevent a gap in immunity.
- Recommendation
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- Varicella
