In the period between August 1 and 20, a total of 336 cases of infection with chickenpox were registered in Armenia, and last month—1,245 cases; about 83 percent of which were among persons under 18 years of age. Stepan Atoyan, Director General of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, announced this at the press conference held Wednesday at the Ministry of Health of Armenia.

"The annual statistics of chickenpox [cases in Armenia] remain almost the same. Compared to the same period last year, the number of cases [in the country] has increased by 1.1 percent," Atoyan said.

In his words, a chickenpox vaccine is planned to be introduced in Armenia this year.

"It will be implemented in phases. First, it will be implemented among one-year-old children and among people of pre-military age [i.e. 18]. From 2027, it will be implemented according to the calendar: among one-year-olds and four- to six-year-olds. This will lead to an effective fight [in Armenia] against chickenpox," added the director general of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention.