NHS childhood vaccination programme expands to include chickenpox

GP practices will begin offering vaccination against chickenpox as part of an expanded NHS childhood vaccination programme from 2 January 2026.

The move has been described by health and social care secretary Wes Streeting as a ‘historic milestone’ in protecting children’s health.

Since Friday 2 January, GP practices will start to offer a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age to add chickenpox (varicella) to the protections against measles, mumps and rubella.

NHS England said the initiative would see ‘hundreds of thousands’ of families with young children be offered protection against chickenpox and that it is expected to save the NHS £15m a year in costs for treating the condition.

Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director for NHS England, said: ‘This is a hugely positive moment for children and their families, providing protection against chickenpox for the first time and adding to the arsenal of routine vaccinations we give to children to safeguard them against serious illnesses.’

She said the move would also ‘help the health service move its focus from sickness to prevention, and keep more children safe and in school’.

Latest government data suggests that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of 10.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency explained that for some babies, young children and adults, ‘chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal’.

‘Beyond the health risks, chickenpox also places a significant burden on families. Parents often need to take time off work to care for their sick child, and children miss valuable time at school or nursery,’ she added.

‘With a vaccine now being introduced into the NHS childhood vaccination programme, I hope parents will make it one of their new year resolutions to ensure their child takes up the offer, when invited. As the vaccine is a combined vaccine with MMR, your child will be protected against four serious diseases – measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.’

She said the vaccine had been used ‘extensively for many years in a number of countries and has been shown to be highly effective with a good safety profile’.

‘The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children,’ added Dr Amirthalingam.

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NHS England said the combined MMRV jab has been ‘safely used for decades’ and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany – which have ‘all seen substantial decreases in cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes’.

Health secretary Mr Streeting added that it marks a historic milestone in protecting children’s health.

'For the first time, the NHS is offering chickenpox vaccination as part of our routine childhood immunisation programme.

‘Many families have faced the threat of chickenpox, which can cause serious complications. The disease also brings significant worry and disruption, with children missing nursery or school and parents forced to stay home to look after them.

‘This new protection will give parents reassurance that their children are protected from a disease that sends thousands to hospital every year.

‘Families will save both time and money – no longer facing lost income from taking time off work or having to fork out for private vaccinations.’

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At the end of last year, the government issued guidance for parents and carers of children to help them understand the introduction of the new combined MMRV vaccine.

Meanwhile, key information on the implementation of a new chickenpox vaccination programme – including eligibility, funding and vaccine supply – was released by the government in November 2025.

The article was originally published in our sister publication Nursing in Practice.