Free chickenpox vaccine to be offered to children in England for the first time

Varicella causes a high temperature, severe itching, and painful fluid-filled blisters. In most children it passes without complications, but some can develop serious infections, polmonite, or even inflammation of the brain. For families, it often means time off nursery or school and parents missing work, sometimes unpaid.

Until now, parents who wanted to vaccinate their child had to pay around £150 for the two-dose course privately. This change means the chickenpox vaccine will finally be available to all families - not just those who can afford it.

How will the chickenpox vaccine be given?

Children will receive the chickenpox vaccine as part of a combined jab that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), plus varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox. Known as the MMRV vaccine, it will be given in two doses - first at around 12 months and again at 18 months - alongside their other routine jabs at their local surgery.

A catch-up programme is also being considered for older children who missed vaccines during the pandemic, to help boost immunity and reduce the number of severe cases.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the government on vaccines, recommended the rollout to reduce the number of children who become seriously ill.

Professor Chrissie Jones, a paediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Southampton, welcomed the change.

She explained this is an important step in protecting children from a common illness that can cause significant discomfort and complications.

"We know that most children recover well from chickenpox, but for some it can be more serious, leading to hospitalisation and long-term effects," she said. “This safe and effective vaccine has been used for many years in other countries, and it has led to a dramatic fall in the number of children who get chickenpox and in the severity of illness when it does happen.

“Providing the vaccine as part of the NHS routine schedule ensures all children, not just those whose parents can afford to pay, can benefit from the protection it offers. It will also reduce the disruption that chickenpox causes to families and workplaces when children are unwell and need to stay at home.”

When the programme begins in 2026, your doctor will offer the vaccine at the same time as your child’s other immunisations. You don’t need to do anything now, but it’s worth checking your child’s red book to see if they are up to date with their current vaccines.

If you’re unsure about vaccines or have questions about the chickenpox jab, your doctor or health visitor can offer advice. You can also read more about childhood vaccinations in our Immunisation Guide.