Overview

• The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that the chickenpox vaccine be added to the UK's childhood immunisation programme.
• The vaccine would be administered in two doses at 12 and 18 months of age.
• A catch-up programme for older children is also suggested due to reduced exposure during COVID-related lockdowns.
• The recommendation aligns the UK with other countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany that already have routine chickenpox vaccinations.
• The final decision on implementing the vaccine will be made by the Department for Health and Social Care.