Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccinations (JCVI) on 22 June 2021, when the modelling QALY meeting to discuss varicella is scheduled to take place.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) relies on modelling work from a variety of sources to support its advice, including the UK Health Security Agency and academic groups.

Varicella is a ‘business as usual’ item that the JCVI will consider in the short to medium term. However, as modelling capacity is finite and resources are supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response, the JCVI are unable to provide an expected timeframe. The modelling Quality-Adjusted Life Year meeting to discuss varicella will be scheduled once evidence becomes available.