This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40592297
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox jab offered on the High Street | Chickenpox jab offered on the High Street |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Vaccinations against chickenpox are to be offered on the High Street for the first time. | Vaccinations against chickenpox are to be offered on the High Street for the first time. |
| Superdrug will be offering it at 58 of its specialist pharmacist stores at the cost of £130 for a two-dose course. | Superdrug will be offering it at 58 of its specialist pharmacist stores at the cost of £130 for a two-dose course. |
| The vaccine is only available on the NHS for people at high risk of spreading the virus to those with weakened immune systems. | The vaccine is only available on the NHS for people at high risk of spreading the virus to those with weakened immune systems. |
| The NHS says a routine childhood chickenpox vaccine would raise the risk of more serious infections in adults. | The NHS says a routine childhood chickenpox vaccine would raise the risk of more serious infections in adults. |
| Ninety per cent of people catch the chickenpox virus by the age of 15 and in most cases it is uncomfortable but leaves no lasting effects. | Ninety per cent of people catch the chickenpox virus by the age of 15 and in most cases it is uncomfortable but leaves no lasting effects. |
| Symptoms include an itchy red rash of spots and blisters, and a fever, as well as tiredness, nausea, headache, muscle ache and loss of appetite. | Symptoms include an itchy red rash of spots and blisters, and a fever, as well as tiredness, nausea, headache, muscle ache and loss of appetite. |
| People who catch the virus as a child normally become immune for life, although one in three adults can develop shingles. | People who catch the virus as a child normally become immune for life, although one in three adults can develop shingles. |
| Adults can still contract the virus but symptoms and possible complications are usually more serious, including the risk of pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis. | Adults can still contract the virus but symptoms and possible complications are usually more serious, including the risk of pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis. |
| The NHS said a chickenpox vaccine is not offered as part of routine immunisations as it would leave unvaccinated children more susceptible to contracting the virus as an adult. | The NHS said a chickenpox vaccine is not offered as part of routine immunisations as it would leave unvaccinated children more susceptible to contracting the virus as an adult. |
| There could also be a significant increase in shingles cases as being exposed to infected children boosts immunity to this. | There could also be a significant increase in shingles cases as being exposed to infected children boosts immunity to this. |
| Whilst Superdrug will be the first to offer the vaccine on the High Street, people can pay to get the jabs from private clinics. | |
| Dr Pixie McKenna, a TV doctor who advises Superdrug, said: "Chickenpox is often seen as a rite of passage in childhood resulting in anything from a very mild to a more serious infection in different people. Even in straightforward cases, spot picking can lead to long term scarring which can linger long after the infection is gone. | Dr Pixie McKenna, a TV doctor who advises Superdrug, said: "Chickenpox is often seen as a rite of passage in childhood resulting in anything from a very mild to a more serious infection in different people. Even in straightforward cases, spot picking can lead to long term scarring which can linger long after the infection is gone. |
| "A chickenpox immunisation has been available for many years but not on the High Street until now. Having suffered from severe chicken pox at the age of 19, I would far rather have undergone the vaccine than be struck down with the infection!" | |
| The vaccine will be available in 58 Superdrug stores, across the UK. | The vaccine will be available in 58 Superdrug stores, across the UK. |
| The store recommends two injections, four to eight weeks apart. | The store recommends two injections, four to eight weeks apart. |
| Chickenpox immunisation has been available in the US for children under 13 for 20 years and research by the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Society shows it has seen hospitalisations due to the disease fall by 93%. | Chickenpox immunisation has been available in the US for children under 13 for 20 years and research by the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Society shows it has seen hospitalisations due to the disease fall by 93%. |