00:00September often sees illness spreading quickly through schools and into homes with many saying
00:07they pick up colds and flu once term begins. This so-called back-to-school lurgy can be disruptive
00:13and research by Boots shows almost one in three report feeling unwell after summer.
00:19Alongside these concerns there's significant news for children's health. From January the
00:23chickenpox vaccine will be added to the NHS vaccination schedule in Wales. All toddlers
00:29will be offered the jab for free with two doses at 12 and 18 months. A catch-up program will also
00:34run to make sure older children are not left out. In Wales a YouGov survey suggests 79 percent of
00:41adults have had chickenpox. Experts believe the new program will cut cases preventing the everyday
00:47disruption and the complications. Ministers also stress the benefit to working families with
00:52fewer days lost to child care when children fall ill but warn that strong vaccine uptake is essential
00:57for success.
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