‘There are big inequalities in vaccine uptake, and overall there has been a decline since 2013,’ said Professor Helen Bedford at the Annual Professional Conference in Bristol last month.
The professor of children’s health at University College London provided an invaluable update on child and adolescent vaccinations, including on the overall picture, and the upcoming introduction of the chickenpox vaccine on 1 January 2026.
The chickenpox vaccine will be introduced as a quadrivalent vaccine, MMRV, Professor Bedford explained. ‘From January, you’ll only be able to get MMRV, MMR won’t be available.’
Professor Bedford also explained that the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine was developed in the 1990s and by 2021 was being used in 44 countries. ‘It’s been used in the USA for 30 years where they have reduced chicken pox by 97%,’ she added.
The first dose of the vaccine will be given at 12 months and the second at 18 months, and there will be a catch-up for children under six. ‘If you’re unsure about status, it’s safe to give a vaccine, even if they’ve been previously vaccinated,’ Professor Bedford added.
For more highlights from the Unite-CPHVA 2025 Annual Professional Conference in Bristol, look out for the upcoming January/February 2026 issue of Community Practitioner
Image | Unite-CPHVA
