Experts have cast doubt on the NHS policy not to vaccinate children against chickenpox
Pharmacists offer the vaccine, charging £140 for both doses
Experts have cast doubt on the NHS policy not to vaccinate children against chickenpox.
The jab is given to youngsters in several other countries, including the US, Australia and Canada but, in the UK, parents must pay privately if they want it.
The NHS website says children are not vaccinated because the illness is usually mild, and because of concerns that introducing the jab could increase the risk of chickenpox in adults, when it can be more serious.
NHS experts also believe that allowing children to get chickenpox means adults are exposed to it, which gives them 20 years of immunity against catching shingles, which is cause by the same virus.
The NHS website says there could be a "significant increase in cases of shingles in adults" if children receive the vaccination.
However, a new study published in the British Medical Journal casts doubt on this, saying adults actually receive far less protection from shingles if children get chickenpox than previously thought.
Published: by Radio NewsHub