Free chickenpox vaccination programme for children launches across Northern Ireland: here's how it will be rolled out
A free chickenpox vaccination is to be offered to children in Northern Ireland for the first time from this month as part of the normal childhood immunisation programme.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) said the vaccination will help protect thousands of children from this unpleasant and potentially serious illness each year.
Eligible children will be offered a combined MMRV vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella – the clinical term for chickenpox – as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.
Children born on or after January 1, 2025, should receive one dose of MMRV just after their first birthday and a second dose at 18 months old.
Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Parents will now be able to help protect their children against chickenpox and its serious complications.
"Chickenpox is often seen as a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and in some cases can be fatal.
“By offering this vaccine for free as part of the childhood immunisation programme, we can help protect children against chickenpox – not just the characteristic spots and general unwellness associated with the illness, but also the serious complications that can develop from it such as bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissue like strep A, brain and lung inflammation, and stroke.
"It’ll also help reduce the number of sick days for kids, and time parents have to take off work, as a result of this highly-transmissible disease.
"Evidence from its use in other countries shows that the vaccine has a good safety record and is very effective. Its introduction here will have a really positive impact on the health of our young children.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a significant improvement” to the childhood vaccination schedule
"Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and this vaccine will prioritise their wellbeing and prevent potentially serious complications from chickenpox. I encourage parents and guardians of those eligible to avail of the vaccination, when invited to do so, to help protect their children from this disease.”
Parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible.