Chicken pox is often viewed as a rite of passage, which children must face as they grow up.

The painful, itchy blisters and soaring temperatures caused by the disease are generally viewed as a nuisance, but not life-threatening.

However, a recent study has recommended mass vaccinations against the disease as it can occasionally cause severe complications and even death.

The effects include septic shock, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, the flesh-eating bacterial infection necrotising fasciitis, and ataxia (uncoordinated movement).

Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at Bristol University, was one of the authors of the report and recommends a UK vaccination programme – following in the footsteps of the US, Canada, Australia and Finland.

He said: “chicken pox has traditionally been viewed as an irritating, but inevitable infection to be endured during childhood, a rite of passage during the preschool years.

“This benign view persists despite evidence that certain groups have higher risks of severe disease.”

The study, conducted by paediatricians in the UK and Ireland, monitored children up to the age of 16 admitted to hospital with severe complications caused by chicken pox.

During a 13 month period in 2002 to 2003 there were 112 severe confirmed cases of the disease.

Five children aged between two and 14 died – although four had a pre-existing medical condition – and 40 per cent of the remaining children had ongoing problems, mostly ataxia or skin scarring.

Prof Finn said most of the children were healthy before contracting chicken pox and could have been immunised.

He added: “Universal vaccination would therefore be the only realistic option to prevent severe complications and deaths.”

Dr Peter Glover, of Church View surgery in Rayleigh High Street, gave the call for vaccinations cautious support. He said: “It’s all a question of resources, how much is put into it and whether the Government says it can afford the vaccine. I think the vaccine is effective.”

Yvonne Jack, of The Rundels, Thundersley, said both her children – Layla-Jude, five, and Zane, three – had contracted chicken pox in the past.

“It’s not one of those things you think is life threatening,” she said. “I suppose I would get them vaccinated if they were offering it, but because I’ve had chicken pox and know what it’s like you just think it’s one of the things they get and it will run its course.”

Experts have been weighing up the options since the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination brought out a report recommending chicken pox vaccinations.

One option was for it to be tagged onto the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine as a new four-in-one jab.

However, parents have been put off by controversy over the MMR jab and the fact that children have to go through 13 different injections against diseases before they reach 18.