To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that Public Health England recommendations are being implemented for (a) people working in close contact with people who are at high-risk of chickenpox and (b) NHS staff without a confirmed history of chickenpox during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered on
5 June 2020
In most cases chickenpox (varicella-zoster) is a self-limiting condition which can be safely managed at home. Post-exposure management using varicella-zoster immunoglobulin is used to protect individuals at high risk of suffering from severe chickenpox.
The ‘Green Book’1 guidance is based on advice from Public Health England, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the standards expected of health and care professionals by their regulatory bodies. It is the responsibility of all health and care professionals to keep themselves informed of any developments which may have a bearing on their area of practice. Current personal protective equipment and social distancing COVID-19 guidance also applies.
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