Parents are being urged not to panic after a mum’s Facebook post warning about the dangers of chickenpox.Kayley Burke shared photos of her son Elijah’s severe reaction to the common childhood illness and blasted parents for not immunising against it.But the mum, who’s son is 11 months old, lives in Australia where it is normal practice to vaccinate chickenpox – unlike in the UK.Since her post went viral, it has been picked up in the UK – but a Salford doctor has told parents not to fret.
The injection isn’t available on the NHS and doctors have urged parents not to worry over this new viral post. Under Australia’s Department of Health’s Immunise Australia Programme, it is recommended infants received their varicella, or chickenpox vaccine, at 18 months old.
A second vaccine for the disease is recommended when the child is 10 to 15 years old.
But Kayley’s heart-wrenching photos – showing Eli’s tiny body covered in horrific scabs and blisters after he developed a secondary infection – have now been shared worldwide, leaving parents fearing what has always been classed as a normal childhood illness.
In England the chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule as it’s believed that giving it to all children could increase the risk of chickenpox and shingles in adults.
It is currently only offered on the NHS to people who are in close contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox or its complications.
The vaccine can be given to children over the age of one in private clinics.
Dr Shahid Munshi, GP and Salford Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for children, said: “Chickenpox is a mild and common illness that most children catch at some point and, while it is unpleasant and difficult for parents to see their children in discomfort, the vast majority of children do get better quickly and easily with no complications.
The 33-year-old, from Denton, said she won’t be panicking about the vaccine.
She added: “Everyone I know just sees chickenpox as one of those things kids get. I won’t be rushing out to get it done when Jack’s old enough.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the decision not to offer a particular vaccine comes from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, an independent body which sits on the Public Health England Board.
She said: “Decisions are based on all the evidence and science to do with vaccinations. That’s basically where we take all our advice from on any vaccination programme.”