Government considers chickenpox jab

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Advisers appointed by the Department of Health will consider if a universal roll-out of chickenpox vaccines is necessary.

A vaccine against the disease could ultimately be given to children in a four-in-one jab, which would see it combined with the controversial MMR inoculation, according to reports.

A group of scientists is tasked with examining the case for the vaccine, on the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The JCVI requested that we set up a sub-group to look into the issues of vaccinating against chicken pox.

"This work is at a very early stage. The JCVI considers a wide variety of issues around vaccination and immunisation.

"Any recommendation to make a change to the programme is only put forward after a lengthy and thorough consideration of all the evidence."

The group will look at creating a four-in-one jab for chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella, thus combining it with the MMR jab, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The chickenpox vaccine is routine in the US but experts have previously said more work needs to be done to see if it would be beneficial to introduce it.

There is particular concern mass vaccinations against the disease could cause millions more cases of shingles in adults.