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Jersey will “follow suit” if the UK adopts an expert suggestion to make the chickenpox vaccine a routine childhood jab, according to the Health Minister.
Deputy Tom Binet yesterday told the States Assembly that "it is highly likely” that the island will “follow” UK advice on whether the chickenpox jab should be introduced as part of routine childhood immunisations.
It comes after UK government advisors recently recommended that the chickenpox vaccine should become a routine childhood jab.
This would be a two-dose vaccination programme using a combined vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said this would reduce the number of children getting sick, and decrease the number of serious cases of chickenpox.
In response to a question from Deputy Lucy Stephenson, the Health Minister said: "As for all such vaccination programmes, we look to the Joint Committee as our principal source of information for decision-making.
"As soon as the final recommendation is received from the UK Department of Health and Social Care, the matter will be discussed by Jersey and the decision will be made at that time."
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