An expert scientific committee advising the British government recommended for the first time Tuesday that children should be immunized with the chickenpox vaccine -- decades after the shots were made widely available in other countries, including the U.S., Canada and Australia.
In Britain, those who want to be immunized against the disease have to pay about 150 pounds (US US$184).
In a statement, Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said that children between one year and 18 months should be offered two doses of the vaccine, in a shot that also combines protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
"For some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox or its complications can be very serious, resulting in hospitalization and even death," said Andrew Pollard, chair of the expert vaccine group in a statement.
Pollard said that "decades of evidence" of the vaccine's effectiveness from other countries demonstrate the vaccine's safety; the U.S. was the first country to introduce an immunization program against chickenpox in 1995.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes chickenpox cases in the country as "rare," estimating there are fewer than 150,000 cases and 30 deaths every year.
British experts have previously estimated there are more than 650,000 cases of chickenpox in England and Wales.
Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that mostly affects children and can cause an itchy rash, blisters and fever. Symptoms usually last about a week, but in rare cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and even death. Two doses of the vaccine offer more than 90 per cent protection against the disease.
The chickenpox vaccine recommendation will next be considered by the government.
Britain's National Health Service has long said that introducing the chickenpox vaccine might leave some adults vulnerable to shingles, if unvaccinated children catch the virus as adults, which can be more severe than chickenpox.
Experts noted, however, that Britain's government offers the shingles vaccine to adults at risk of the disease.
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of public health programs at Britain's Health Security Agency, said the new chickenpox vaccine recommendations would "help make chickenpox a problem of the past."
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York鈥檚 Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
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Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Canadian doctors are calling for employers and schools not to require sick notes when it comes to short-term minor illnesses.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Canada's reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Egypt's president announced Sunday his country has proposed a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during which four hostages held in Gaza would be freed. There was no immediate response from Israel or Hamas as the latest talks were expected in Qatar, another key mediator.
Canada's reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Last year, seven-year-old Jack was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia type four (SPG4), a disease that affects less than 0.01 per cent of the population.
A massive mudslide closed the freeway south of the Canada-U.S. border in Bellingham, Wash. Sunday.
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Egypt's president announced Sunday his country has proposed a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during which four hostages held in Gaza would be freed. There was no immediate response from Israel or Hamas as the latest talks were expected in Qatar, another key mediator.
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York鈥檚 Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
Voters in Uruguay headed to the polls to choose a new president on Sunday in a race that defies regional trends of bitter division and democratic erosion.
Russian forces thwarted an attempt at another cross-border incursion by Ukraine into southwestern Russia, a local official reported Sunday.
Fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ran riot in east-central Sudan in a multi-day attack that killed more than 120 people in one town.
Voters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, started going to the polls Sunday in a mayoral race pitting incumbent Mayor Ricardo Nunes against lawmaker Guilherme Boulos.
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says there has been a 鈥渟ignificant reduction鈥漷o the public safety threat since six Indian diplomatic officials were expelled from the country last week.
Minister Gary Anandasangaree has apologized to a group of Ontario First Nations for mismanagement of their money over a century ago.
Canadian doctors are calling for employers and schools not to require sick notes when it comes to short-term minor illnesses.
Health Canada released an advisory last week that warns against the use of baby walkers available on eBay.ca, saying the products may pose a risk of injury and that baby walkers are banned in Canada.
Whole Foods Market is joining the growing list of brands whose frozen waffles have been recalled in Canada this week because of possible listeria contamination.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has hosted the online competition since 2019 to raise awareness about the bat's ecological importance.
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are cracking down on a troubling spread of child sexual abuse imagery created through artificial intelligence technology 鈥 from manipulated photos of real children to graphic depictions of computer-generated kids.
The search for a popular tortoise that went missing from his home in Piedmont is over after his owner said he came home.
'Venom: The Last Dance' showed less bite than expected at the box office, collecting US$51 million in its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.
Actor Timothee Chalamet made a surprise appearance at his own look-alike contest in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, a well-attended event that drew an order to disperse from police and at least one arrest.
What could be more timely than an epic, award-winning (Pulitzer, Tony) American drama about money problems?
Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Bank of Canada, GDP figures, and results for Enbridge, Parkland, and Imperial Oil.
Natural gas producers in Western Canada have white-knuckled it through months of depressed prices, with the expectation that their fortunes will improve when LNG Canada comes online in the middle of next year.
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says the world has become more prone to supply shocks which create more risks to inflation, but the central bank is in a better place to deal with them now that inflation is under control.
British chef Jamie Oliver is asking for help to solve the mystery of a missing award-winning cheddar, worth US$390,000.
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of 鈥 and captured by 鈥 a feature film.
Two witches talk about their daily rituals, from spell-casting to TikTok posting, and how they discovered their magic.
A female athlete from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., achieved two big goals at the 2024 World Triathlon championships in Spain last weekend.
The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides on Sunday, the organization announced.
Real Madrid, the Spanish league and the local government condemned racist insults against Barcelona's player Lamine Yamal during Saturday's 'El Clasico.'
Based on initial appearances, there are signs indicating the automobile industry is in healthy shape 鈥 for now.
A town in southern Alberta will be one of the first to let golf carts be driven on select roads as part of a provincial pilot program.
An increased risk of fire has prompted the recall of thousands of Honda hybrid vehicles in Canada.
The Westfield & District Recreation Association hosted its first Witches and Warlocks on the Water event Saturday, with costumed paddlers in pointed hats launching from Westfield Beach.
A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.
Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
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Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
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Two of the three recounts in B.C.鈥檚 2024 provincial election have been completed, with no change to the standings in either riding.
A person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle collision in Surrey Sunday afternoon.
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A Calgary MP is collecting names on a petition in hopes of saving the Olympic Plaza bricks.
Tracey Rice's son Dylan Sparks is the reason she has spent the better part of a decade building para powerlifting to becoming a more common sport within the para athlete community.
One person is in hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after a crash between a motorized scooter and a vehicle.
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Ottawa will experience several seasons this week, with a chance of wet flurries to start the week and double-digit highs for Halloween.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
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Montreal police is investigating after shots were fired in Kirkland on the West Island.
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Leon Draisaitl scored his second goal of the game 18 seconds into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Sunday night.
The King's representative to Canada is in Alberta for her first official visit to the province.
Monday is the first full day of campaigning in the Nova Scotia provincial election.
Queen鈥檚 District RCMP in Nova Scotia is investigating a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred Saturday on Highway 103 in Port Mouton, N.S.
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
Winnipeg police are looking for a suspect after they say a man was attacked by someone with a machete early Friday morning.
An estimated 6,000 children died in residential schools, though experts say the actual number could be much higher.
Candidates across Saskatchewan are making their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 election campaign is quickly approaching its end.
Election day has arrived in Saskatchewan. With it, the last wave of voters prepare to cast their ballots and decide who will form government in the province.
The Regina Thunder fell to the Okanagan Sun in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) semi-finals 鈥 as it attempted to secure a chance at the national title.
Ontario is moving to extend a 5.7-cent cut to the provincial gas tax until next summer.
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
Canadian doctors are calling for employers and schools not to require sick notes when it comes to short-term minor illnesses.
Candidates across Saskatchewan are making their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 election campaign is quickly approaching its end.
Election day has arrived in Saskatchewan. With it, the last wave of voters prepare to cast their ballots and decide who will form government in the province.
It's been a long month of policy announcements, campaigning, new promises, and speculation leading up to today. Polls are set to close Monday evening, and the outcome will shape the next four years of Saskatchewan's government.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will be in Sudbury on Monday, his office says.
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing 鈥渁n emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.鈥
Two new interchanges have opened in St. Thomas, Ont. but one main artery is set to close Monday for construction.
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
Bracebridge OPP are searching for two suspects who allegedly broke into a Gravenhurst jewelry store early Saturday morning.
A man was charged after allegedly crashing into a parked OPP cruiser in Tay Township early Sunday morning.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie has been acclaimed as the Ontario Progressive Conservative party鈥檚 representative for the riding in the next provincial election.
One suspect has been arrested after an armed robbery took place in Windsor.
Police have charged a man with robbery after an incident Saturday afternoon in Chatham.
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.鈥檚 nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party鈥檚 chances of clinching a third term.
There were tense moments at a ferry terminal outside Victoria, B.C., on Friday after the lion鈥檚 share of standby spots on an early sailing were claimed by 鈥渁ssured loading鈥 passengers 鈥 leaving regular customers who had been waiting for hours out of luck.
Hulitan Early Years Centre is a brand new, 48-seat childhood learning centre in Colwood. It was built to support Indigenous children throughout the capital region.
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Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
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A tentative agreement has been reached between the City of Lethbridge and more than 900 employees belonging to CUPE Local 70.
The Hurricanes will be happy to be back home in Lethbridge Saturday night after losing their third in a row on the road Friday night, a 4-1 decision to the Broncos in Swift Current.
About 15,000 students are enrolled at Lethbridge鈥檚 post-secondary schools, and now the city is working with those schools to try to find ways to get them s to stick around a while.
A female athlete from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., achieved two big goals at the 2024 World Triathlon championships in Spain last weekend.
Creditors have moved to take ownership of most of the properties in northern Ontario owned by a group of 11 insolvent companies.
Ontario Provincial Police have been cleared in the case of a woman who crashed her vehicle intentionally while she was high on drugs and fled into the woods earlier this year.
Teams are facing off in a new eastern Newfoundland hockey league aiming to bring competitive play 鈥 and a few extra years on the ice 鈥 for young women in the province.
Investigators found the remains of a 77-year-old American man on Wednesday at the scene of a fire that destroyed a hotel in western Newfoundland earlier on the weekend.
Police in western Newfoundland say a 77-year-old man visiting the province from Kansas is missing after a fire at a hotel in Deer Lake, N.L.
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