Chickenpox vaccines for children start across UK

Source: NHS England, 2 Jan 2026

Hundreds of thousands of families with young children will now benefit from added protection against chickenpox, as the NHS introduces the vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule for the first time.

From 2 Jan, GP practices will begin offering the combined MMRV vaccine—providing protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox—at 12 months and 18 months of age. This replaces the previous MMR-only vaccination at these stages.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a common and highly contagious infection. While usually mild, it can sometimes lead to serious complications requiring hospital care, such as chest infections and seizures. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the addition of the vaccine to help reduce these risks and strengthen protection for young children.

Introducing the chickenpox vaccine is also expected to deliver wider benefits. Childhood infections are estimated to lead to £24 million in lost income and productivity annually, while the NHS could save around £15 million a year in treatment costs.

This rollout marks an important step in reducing preventable illness and improving child health across the UK.