RCGP response to chickenpox vaccine rollout

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, responds to the inclusion of chickenpox vaccine in the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

"The NHS childhood vaccination programme has been one of the great successes of modern medicine, and we're pleased to see it being expanded to protect children against chickenpox through what will now be the combined MMRV vaccine.

 “All vaccines included within the NHS Childhood Vaccination Programme are safe and effective and are some of the most important health interventions parents can make for their children. Vaccination also plays an important role in preventing the spread of serious infectious diseases amongst communities. Preventing illnesses such as chickenpox through routine vaccination will help reduce avoidable GP appointments, hospital admissions and disruption for families, keeping children safe while easing pressures across the health service.

“GPs and our teams are at the forefront of delivering childhood vaccinations and having open and evidence-based conversations with parents about the benefits and safety - of vaccinating their children against what can be very serious illnesses, such as measles and chickenpox. We would encourage all parents to check their children’s vaccination records and, if they haven't been vaccinated, to come forward at the earliest opportunity.” 

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659

press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.