英国将结合水痘疫苗的四联疫苗纳入常规儿童免疫计划

Core Viewpoint - The UK National Health Service has officially included the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine in its routine childhood immunization program, marking a historic milestone in public health policy [1] Group 1: Vaccine Implementation - Starting from the 2nd of the month, England will replace the existing measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine with a new quadrivalent vaccine that includes the varicella vaccine [1] - General practices will implement a two-dose vaccination schedule for children at 12 and 18 months, providing combined protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox [1] Group 2: Health Impact and Cost Savings - Chickenpox is a common and highly contagious disease in children, which can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization, such as chest infections and seizures [1] - Research indicates that the promotion of this vaccine is expected to save the NHS approximately £15 million annually in treatment costs [1]