The chickenpox – or varicella – vaccine is now available free of charge for all babies born on or after October 1st, 2024.
Is this new?
Yes, this is a new addition to the childhood immunisation schedule, as announced in last year’s budget.
And why was this introduced?
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) has recommended the roll-out of this vaccine to reduce the number of deaths and complications associated with the virus.
Where can I get it?
Parents can obtain the vaccine for their children free of charge from GPs.
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Are there serious complications to chickenpox?
Dr Chantal Migone, consultant in public health medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office, said while chickenpox is often seen as a “mild illness, it can sometimes cause serious complications needing hospitalisation in children”.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) only monitors hospitalised cases of chickenpox, of which there were 75 last year.
There was a significant jump in hospitalised cases in 2023: 165, compared with 75 in 2022. During the Covid pandemic years, cases dropped to the mid 20s.
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Between 2018 and 2024, seven cases were reported to have meningitis and 13 were reported to have encephalitis.
It can also increase a person’s risk of infection from the invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infection. This is a bacterial infection in the bloodstream that happens because the skin’s protective barrier is weakened by chickenpox blisters. This bacteria can lead to the development of sepsis.
Stroke-Varicella (Chickenpox) is the leading infectious cause of stroke in children and can occur up to 12 months following infection.
Who is most affected by this?
Cases of hospitalised chickenpox reported to HPSC are typically highest in the one- to nine-year-old age group.
What if your child was born before this date?
Niac did not recommend a Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine catch-up programme for children born before October 1st, 2024.
If a parent wants this vaccine for a child who is older than the outlined cohort, they will have to pay privately.
What is included in the childhood immunisation schedule for children born after October 1st last year?
Aged two months, children should receive their six-in-one jab, pneumococcal (PVC) vaccine, the MenB and the rotavirus vaccine.
Aged four months, they’ll receive the six-in-one, MenB and rotavirus, while at six months, they’ll receive the six-in-one and PCV.
When your child is aged one year, they will be eligible for the MMR, MenB and chickenpox vaccines, and at 13 months they will receive the six-in-one, MenC and PCV.
