A VACCINE for chickenpox is set to be dished out to children as part of the UK’s routine jabs programme.

Two doses could be offered to children aged 12 and 18 months after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation gave the jab the green light.

Government advisers said the jab will help reduce “tragic, more serious cases” of the common illness if given final approval by the Department of Health and Social Care.

It could spell the end of “chickenpox parties”, when parents deliberately get their children infected at a young age to build up their immunity.

Immunologist Professor Sir Andrew Pollard,said: “Chickenpox is well known, and most parents will probably consider it a common and mild illness among children. 

“But for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox or its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalisation and even death.

Chickenpox, known medically as varicella, is an extremely common infection that affects around 90 per cent of children in the UK by the age of 15.

It normally causes an itchy, spotty rash that resolves itself after one or two weeks without needing to see a doctor.