Beginning in January 2026, England will embark on a new chapter in public health as the National Health Service (NHS) introduces a free chickenpox vaccine for young children. This long-awaited move, confirmed by the government and highlighted by several health officials, aims to protect around 500,000 children every year from a disease that, while often mild, can sometimes lead to severe complications and even death.
For decades, chickenpox—caused by the varicella virus—has been a familiar, if dreaded, rite of passage for many families. The illness is notorious for its itchy, spotted rash, often accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, and general malaise. Most children recover without major issues, but for some, especially babies, very young children, pregnant women, and adults, the consequences can be far more serious. Complications like bacterial infections, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), pneumonitis (lung inflammation), and even stroke can occur. In rare cases, chickenpox can be fatal, as noted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Until now, parents wishing to shield their children from chickenpox have had to pay out of pocket—up to £200 for private vaccination, according to BBC reporting. The new NHS programme, however, will offer the vaccine free of charge, leveling the playing field and ensuring that protection is available to all, regardless of family income. The vaccine will be delivered as part of a new combined immunisation, the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), replacing the current MMR jab offered to babies at 12 and 18 months.
"Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal," said Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UKHSA. She described the vaccine's introduction as "excellent news," emphasizing its potential to save lives and prevent what is, for most, a nasty illness. "We now have extensive experience from a number of countries showing that the vaccine has a good safety record and is highly effective. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and also lead to fewer missed nursery and school days."
The rollout is more than just a win for children's health; it is also set to deliver significant social and economic benefits. Chickenpox is responsible for an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK, as parents take time off work to care for sick children. The government expects the new programme to save the NHS £15 million annually in treatment costs, according to official statements. Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, called the vaccine rollout "a hugely positive moment for families," adding, "We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to roll out the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses."
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, underscored the broader ambitions of the initiative: "We’re giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work. This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve." He also linked the move to the government’s "Plan for Change," which aims to raise the healthiest generation of children ever and ensure the future sustainability of the NHS by shifting the focus from sickness to prevention.
What will the rollout look like in practice? Eligible children—those born after January 1, 2026—will be invited by their GP for the new MMRV jab at 12 and 18 months of age, mirroring the current process for childhood immunisations. There are also plans for a catch-up campaign targeting slightly older children, so they don't miss out. For children currently under 12 months, eligibility is still being assessed, but parents can expect to be contacted by their GP in due course with guidance on which vaccine schedule their child will follow.
The decision to introduce the chickenpox vaccine comes after a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in November 2023. The JCVI’s advice was grounded in research showing the significant impact of severe chickenpox cases on children’s health, hospital admissions, and associated costs. Professor Adam Finn, a paediatrician and former JCVI member, noted that the UK has lagged behind other countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany, where the vaccine has been part of routine schedules for years. He explained that earlier concerns about the vaccine—specifically, that reducing chickenpox circulation might lead to more cases of shingles in adults—have largely been dismissed by recent evidence. "Finally, we've now realised that concern is much, much smaller—it's almost non-existent," Prof Finn told BBC.
The real-life impact of chickenpox can be harrowing, as Sarah, a mother of two, recounted to the BBC. Both of her young daughters, Willow and Mia, needed hospital treatment for severe chickenpox. Her youngest, Mia, developed spots "head to toe" and suffered a skin infection that left her "completely out of it...floppy." Sarah described the ordeal as "absolutely terrifying" and said she "would never want any child or any parent to go through what we've been through," urging parents to consider vaccination.
Alongside the new chickenpox vaccine, the NHS already offers a shingles vaccine for adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79, and people over 50 with severely weakened immune systems. While people cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox, those who have never had chickenpox can contract it from someone with shingles. It is possible, though unusual, to contract chickenpox more than once.
The government is also acutely aware of the need to boost vaccine uptake in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Recent data revealed that none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached the 95% uptake target in 2024/25. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock acknowledged concerns about vaccine hesitancy and pledged national and local campaigns to explain "the benefits of getting vaccinated and the fact that this is 100% safe." He also stressed the importance of combating misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines on social media, stating, "It's our job as the government, and everybody else out there that is on the side of common sense and reason, to make this case and to win this battle against the conspiracy theorists, and misinformers and disinformers out there who need to be dealt with and need to be silenced."
With this new initiative, England joins the ranks of countries that have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions since introducing similar vaccination programmes. The hope is that, in years to come, chickenpox will become less of a rite of passage and more a relic of the past, sparing children and families needless suffering and helping to build a healthier future for all.
