🎉 Big news for parents in Wales! Starting January 2nd, a new chickenpox vaccine is being rolled out to protect our little ones against this common childhood illness. 🏥
Here’s what you need to know:
👶 Who’s Eligible?
– All children aged 12 to 18 months will be offered the vaccine, which is a part of the MMRV jab covering measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
– There’s also a catch-up scheme for kids up to six years old who haven’t had chickenpox or the vaccine before.
📅 When and How?
– Children born on or after January 1, 2025, will get the first dose at 12 months and the second at 18 months.
– Kids born between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, might have had one MMR dose at 12 months; they’ll get the MMRV next.
– Older kids will have catch-up opportunities between November 2026 and March 2028.
🤔 Why is This Important?
Chickenpox might generally be mild, but it can sometimes lead to serious complications like bacterial infections, skin lesions, and in extreme cases, encephalitis or stroke. Protecting your child with the MMRV vaccine can prevent these and save lives.
🗣️ Words from the Experts:
Professor Isabel Oliver, Wales’ chief medical officer, reminds us that chickenpox is highly contagious and encourages vaccination as a safeguard against serious illness. Dr Christopher Johnson also emphasises the importance of keeping up with routine childhood immunisations to protect your child’s health.
Make sure to keep an eye out for your child’s vaccination appointment and let’s keep our kids healthy and protected! 💉❤️