NHS makes major announcement that will save families £150

NHS makes major announcement that will save families £150

A vaccine for chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England from January, officials have announced. The jab, which currently costs around £150 at private clinics and pharmacies, will form part of a new combined immunisation on the childhood vaccination programme.

Ministers hope it will not only protect some youngsters from severe complications from the virus, but also prevent parents from taking time off work to look after their children when they become infected. Chickenpox is a common childhood illness and is usually mild.

The main symptom is an itchy, spotty rash over the body, but, before this appears, children may have a high temperature, a loss of appetite, and may feel generally unwell. Chickenpox usually gets bett