From January, young children on the Isle of Man will be offered protection against chickenpox as part of their routine childhood vaccinations.
The new programme introduces the combined MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and now chickenpox, aligning the island with updated NHS guidance.
Children will receive their first MMRV dose at 12 months and a second at 18 months. For slightly older children, the schedule has been adjusted to ensure earlier protection.
A catch-up programme for older children who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine is also planned later in the year.
Chickenpox Vaccine
Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection, usually mild but sometimes causing serious complications such as chest infections, fits, and hospitalisation.
Executive Medical Director of Manx Care, Dr. Chris Stockport said: “The new MMRV vaccine is a great step forward for our childhood immunisation programme.
“Eligibility for the MMRV vaccine is dependent on your child’s birth date, so we would advise looking at the new childhood immunisation schedules to determine whether your child is eligible.
“Vaccinations are our best protection from serious illness. The new MMRV vaccination will not only help to protect from serious illnesses like measles, mumps and rubella but will now help will reduce cases of chickenpox and protect children from serious complications that can cause hospitalisation, such as bacterial infections like strep A, brain and lung inflammation and stroke.
“The new schedule also means that the second dose of the MMR vaccine will be brought forward from 3 years, 4 months to 18 months, to give children earlier protection from measles, mumps and rubella.
“I encourage parents and carers to get your child vaccinated when they are due to help give them the best start in life.”
Safe & Effective
Director of Public Health, Dr. Matt Tyrer said: “The combined MMRV vaccine is proven to be safe and effective, having been used for decades and already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries.
“United States, Canada, Australia and Germany have all seen substantial decreases in cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.
“Here in the Isle of Man, the new MMRV programme expects to protect around 1500 children a year. Look out for communication from your GP Practice on when your child’s vaccinations are due and take up the offer to help keep more children healthy and in school.”
Parents will be contacted by GP practices when their child’s vaccination is due and are encouraged to take up the offer to keep children healthy and in school.
