Ananova:

The UK's first licensed vaccine for chickenpox is being launched to protect against the disease which causes 20 adult deaths each year.

In England and Wales more people die each year from chickenpox than from mumps, measles, whooping cough and Hib meningitis combined.

Until now a vaccine against chickenpox (or varicella) has only been available for high risk people.

The Varilrix vaccine is being launched by GlaxoSmithKline for widespread use in the UK market.

The Department of Health is welcoming the availability of a licensed chickenpox vaccine.

A spokesman said it "could be used more widely, particularly in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients from infection".

He added: "The Department of Health will be considering how it can be most effectively used in the NHS in due course."

Dr Elizabeth Miller, head of the immunisation division at the Public Health Laboratory Service, said: "Varicella is an acute, highly infectious disease.

"Until now a case in a hospital setting with the potential for outbreak was a serious problem involving exclusion of susceptible staff in order to protect patients.

"Studies have shown that varicella vaccination provides a cost-effective method of protecting healthcare workers and patients from varicella."

Story filed: 00:10 Wednesday 31st July 2002

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