NEW Zealand's PHARMAC has confirmed the funding of the varicella vaccine for chicken pox effective 01 Jul 2017.
One dose of the vaccine will be free for children aged 15 months, and also for those turning 11 years of age who have never been infected with or previously immunised against chickenpox.
The announcement cited benefits to children and their families, a reduction in GP and emergency department visits as well as hospitalisations.
After the introduction of a universal varicella vaccine in Australia, the hospitalisation rate for children with chickenpox-related complications fell by 75%.
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