Chicken pox immunisation

[PrettyCandles]

Why does the UK not immunise aginst chickenpox?

AFAIK they were going to add it to the MMR triple vaccine, to make a quadruple one, but then there was such a backlash about too many vaccinations, and the MMR in particular, so I presume that the idea was dropped for a while. I've no doubt it will come back.

Isn't it given as a single jab in the USA?

I think so, yes.

Think they are going to do it. I heard that it was being introduced.

They think about it every so often.

I think the reasons why not centre around

• very few deaths or serious complications each year (and yes, I know they do still happen -- I have a friend whose perfectly healthy toddler died from chicken pox)
• indications from recent study are that they would have to vaccinate all children to significantly reduce deaths
• concern that there wouldn't be much take-up (from previous times this has come up on MN, I think this is well-founded) and that it may even reduce take-up of other vaccines (e.g. MMR)
• immunity from vaccine tends to wear off, so unless you have a thorough system of boosters for adults you are just shifting the problem from childhood (where for most it's a comparatively mild disease) into adulthood (where for most it's pretty nasty). And the UK vaccination system just isn't geared up for boosters for adults.

Thanks, P&L.