NHS Chickenpox Vaccine Rollout: What We Need To Know

From January 2026, children across England will, for the first time, be offered a free NHS vaccination against chickenpox as part of the routine immunisation schedule. Delivered via a combined MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), this rollout represents the first addition to the childhood vaccination programme since MenB was introduced in 2015.

The programme will not only protect thousands of children from the discomfort of chickenpox but also help prevent severe complications, reduce school absences, save NHS resources, and support working families.

So, what does this mean for families, healthcare professionals, and the wider public health landscape?

What is Chickenpox (Varicella)?

Chickenpox, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), is a highly contagious illness that spreads easily through direct contact with blisters or through airborne droplets.

Symptoms typically include:

• Fever and fatigue
• Muscle aches
• A widespread itchy, blister-like rash

For most, the illness is mild, but in vulnerable groups, such as very young infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, chickenpox can lead to serious complications, including:

• Bacterial skin infections (such as invasive strep A)
• Pneumonia
• Meningitis or encephalitis (brain inflammation)
• Stroke
• Hospitalisation and, rarely, death

On average, 90% of people who have never had chickenpox will become infected after exposure. By age 10, around 90% of children in the UK have had chickenpox.

Why Introduce the Vaccine Now?

For many years, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) debated whether a universal chickenpox vaccine should be added to the NHS schedule. Previous concerns focused on whether reducing chickenpox circulation could unintentionally increase shingles cases in adults.

Shingles occurs when dormant varicella virus reactivates later in life. It was thought that adults were “boosted” against shingles by being exposed to children with chickenpox, and therefore a vaccine might reduce this natural protection.

However, recent research has changed this picture:

• Studies show that natural boosting only lasts 1–5 years, not 20 years as previously believed.
• Data from countries like the US (programme since 1995), Germany, Canada, and Australia demonstrate that childhood chickenpox cases and hospitalisations plummet after introduction, without a rise in adult shingles.

In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted usual childhood exposure. With reduced social mixing, fewer children caught chickenpox naturally, leaving a larger susceptible pool. As these children grow older, chickenpox can be more severe.

This, combined with strong international safety data and new economic analyses, led the JCVI to recommend a universal vaccination programme in November 2023.

Economic and Public Health Benefits

The cost of chickenpox to the UK is significant:

• Around £24 million annually in lost productivity (parents needing time off work)
• Around £15 million annually in NHS treatment costs

By preventing illness, the rollout will:

• Keep children in nursery and school
• Reduce GP visits, A&E attendances, and hospital admissions
• Support working parents by minimising disruption
• Free up NHS resources for other needs

This aligns with the government’s wider ambition to raise the “healthiest generation of children ever” under the NHS England 10-Year Health Plan, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.

How Will the Rollout Work?

The JCVI has recommended a two-dose schedule using the combined MMRV vaccine:

• First dose at 12 months
• Second dose at 18 months

Alongside this, the NHS England: Changes to the GP Contract in 2025/26 (Annex E) proposed a phased catch-up programme to ensure older children are not left unprotected. This would involve targeted one-off MMRV doses for children from 18 months up to age 11, with completion expected by 2027.

It’s important to note that while these catch-up plans have been outlined, the exact details have not yet been formally confirmed. Further guidance will clarify how they will be implemented in practice.

Safety and International Evidence

The chickenpox vaccine has a strong safety record, with decades of use worldwide. In the US, where universal vaccination has been in place for 30 years, varicella-related hospitalisations have declined by over 90%. Most side effects are mild, such as a sore arm, mild fever, or temporary rash. Severe allergic reactions are rare.

Tackling Falling Childhood Vaccine Rates

The decision also comes against a backdrop of declining vaccine uptake in the UK, with none of the main childhood vaccines hitting the 95% target in 2024/25. For example, only 91.9% of five-year-olds had received their first MMR dose, the lowest level since 2010/11. By introducing protection against chickenpox within the combined MMRV vaccine, the NHS hopes to not only prevent varicella but also boost overall uptake by reducing the number of separate injections children need.

Expert Voices on the Rollout

• Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care:
  
  “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… This rollout puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve.”
  
  
• Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA:
  
  “Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be mild, but for some it can be very serious… From next January, introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and reduce missed school and nursery days.”
  
  
• Amanda Doyle, NHS England:
  
  “This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.”

Why This Matters for Healthcare Professionals

For those in primary care, immunisation teams, and community health, this rollout means:

• Clear communication: Helping parents understand why a vaccine is needed for what many think of as a “mild” illness.
• Addressing hesitancy: Reassuring families about safety, effectiveness, and the global track record.
• Integration: Adding MMRV into existing schedules, while aligning with other changes to the childhood programme (such as adjustments to the 2nd MMR timing).
• Supporting families: Providing guidance, reassurance, and answering common questions.

Take-Home Message

Chickenpox is often seen as a common part of childhood, but in reality, it can be serious, disruptive, and costly for families and the NHS. From January 2026, the NHS will roll out the MMRV vaccine free of charge, protecting around half a million children each year.

This landmark decision will:

• Reduce illness and complications
• Keep children learning and parents working
• Save millions in NHS resources
• Support the UK’s long-term vision of prevention-led healthcare and raising the healthiest generation of children

The varicella vaccine has already transformed child health in many countries. Now, the UK is set to follow, ensuring the next generation grows up with one less preventable illness to worry about.

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