Ignore the sceptics: with this new vaccine, chickenpox could become a thing of the past | Wes Streeting

Thousands develop serious complications from the varicella virus. Today the NHS rolls out a new jab, alongside measles, mumps and rubellaWes Streeting is secretary of state for health and social careAs any parent knows, there are few things more disruptive to family life than a child covered from head to toe in itchy chickenpox spots. The sleepless nights. The constant application of calamine lotion. The scramble to take time off work while your little one recovers.That’s why today’s expansion of the NHS childhood vaccination programme will come as such a relief to so many families. The new combined vaccine, free on the NHS, will protect young children in England against chickenpox (varicella), measles, mumps and rubella. Children will be offered the MMRV vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, and GP surgeries in England are contacting families from today to arrange appointments. This will mean fewer days missed from nursery and school, fewer urgent calls to the GP and fewer parents having to miss work.Wes Streeting is the secretary of state for health and social care and Labour MP for Ilford North Continue reading...