Free chickenpox vaccine to be offered to children

The move follows a similar rollout across the United Kingdom

A chickenpox job is set to be added to the free combined vaccinations offered to children on the Isle of Man.

The health department said about 1,500 children each year would be protected as a result of the additional vaccine, which will be made available from January at GP practices on the island.

The department said that as well as preventing serious illnesses, the new vaccine would help reduce the number of sick days taken by children and work days missed by parents having to look after them.

Children between the ages of 12 and 18 months will be offered the new combined vaccine against the virus that causes chickenpox.

'Serious complications'

It marks part of the rollout of the joint measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine across the UK and crown dependencies.

Currently, it costs about £150 to receive the chickenpox jab privately.

Manx Care chief executive Teresa Cope said the programme aimed to prevent serious cases or complications from the virus and "help to reduce related hospitalisation or other serious outcomes".

The Isle of Man's director of public health Matt Tyrer said that while chickenpox was "often seen as a mild illness" it can lead to "serious complications, especially in babies, young children and adults".

He said the vaccine offered "vital protection and will help reduce hospital admissions, healthcare costs, and the risk of shingles later in life".