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A chickenpox vaccination programme is being rolled out across Wales from today (Friday January 2).

All children aged 12 to 18 months are being offered a vaccine for chickenpox – also known as Varicella – for the first time.

It comes more than two years after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the vaccination programme.

It will be a two-dose programme offered at 12-months-old and 18-months-old, using a combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine.

A catch-up programme for older children up to six-years-old will be offered later in the year, the Welsh Government confirmed.

Chickenpox is a very common but highly-contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. While it affects most children, it can be caught for the first time at any age.

Most chickenpox cases in children are mild, but some children can develop complications from the illness, which can result in hospitalisation, or on rare occasions, death.

Wales’ health secretary, Jeremy Miles, said: “Evidence shows the vaccine is safe and effective and will help to prevent children becoming seriously ill. I would urge parents to take up the offer of vaccination and if they have questions to speak to their GP for further information.”

Wales’ chief medical officer, Professor Isabel Oliver, said: “Chickenpox is a very infectious disease. It is very common. Most children with chickenpox recover after about a week but some children have a more serious illness and need to be admitted to hospital.

“The MMRV vaccine protects your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox saving lives and preventing complications from infection.”

On average, 4,000 people each year need to see their GP due to chickenpox, while around 300 people are admitted to hospital each year with the virus.

Dr Christopher Johnson, head of Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales said: “The MMRV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against chickenpox. It has been used successfully in many countries for years, leading to fewer illnesses and hospitalisations.

“Making sure your child receives all their routine childhood immunisations is crucial for protecting their health. I strongly encourage all parents to take their children to their vaccination appointments when invited.”