00:00Medical experts warn that September can be a tough month for family health.
00:04With schools back in session, coughs, colds and flu spread quickly from classrooms into
00:09households, leading to the familiar back-to-school lurgy.
00:13At the same time, the NHS is rolling out a major new vaccination programme.
00:18From January, children in England will be offered the chickenpox vaccine for free, replacing
00:23the need for parents to pay privately.
00:25The two-dose jab, given at 12 and 18 months alongside the MMR, will also be available
00:31through a catch-up campaign for older children.
00:34A recent YouGov poll found that across England, most adults have experienced chickenpox, with
00:39around 70% in London reporting they have had it, compared with 86% in the South, 80% in
00:46the Midlands and 83% in the North.
00:49Health experts say the new vaccine will dramatically cut cases, preventing complications and reducing
00:55time off school and work.
00:57But the stress uptake will be vital to success.
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