Some 170 cases of chickenpox resulted in hospitalisation in 2023, the highest number in recent years
The addition of the jab is one in a series of changes for babies born on or after October 1st this year. Under the changes, babies will no longer receive the dose of MenC vaccine at six months.
Adding the chickenpox vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme would cost €13 million – €28 million over the first five years, depending on whether one or two doses are given, making it “likely to be cost effective”, Hiqa added. Chickenpox infection can result in serious illness. Since 2018, there have been four cases of meningitis and 10 cases of encephalitis-related chickenpox reported.
“Many parents might consider chickenpox to be a mild illness, but for some babies chickenpox and its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalisation for 170 cases last year, and in rare cases even death,” she said.
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