The JCVI might have recently changed recommendation but whether it is worth the cost/benefit is another matter.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/two-for-one-chick...
For me it was a no-brainer. For a small amount of money, I avoid the kid being bedridden for potentially weeks, and the kid avoids scarring from the disease. Even though it isn't going to kill the kid, it's still awful to be ill.
Shingles won't be a problem for a long time afterwards, and medicine will advance. There's already shingles vaccines.
So it was an easy decision to spend about 100 pounds on vaccinating each kid.
I remember parents wanted kids to get chickenpox as early as possible so they could put mittens on them so they wouldn't scratch themselves.
I think so. Better not to let them be tempted by something like that.
The shingles vaccination programme (for older adults) has existed since 2013.
The JCVI recommendation from 2023 took into account new evidence that had emerged since the original decision in 2009, using a new model to evaluate cost-effectiveness and better evaluate the impact on QALY from infection.
The original 2009 reasoning's decision is available here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20130107105...