Babies and toddlers in the UK will be offered a vaccine against chickenpox for the first time as part of their routine childhood immunisations from today.
The jab will be included as part of the combined MMR vaccine to protect hundreds of thousands of young children against potentially serious diseases including measles, mumps and rubella.
GP surgeries will offer the jab, which will now become the MMRV, to babies aged 12 months, followed by a booster at 18 months. The V refers to varicella, the medical name for chickenpox.
This is a change to the current MMR schedule of 12 months and a booster at 3 years and 4 months.
How will the roll-out help kids and parents?
The Government and NHS chiefs hope the new fast-tracked booster shot will offer full protection to young children earlier, and avoid them having to take days off nursery or school.
It is also hoped this reduction in sick days for youngsters will avoid parents having to take time off work.
Before today, the chickenpox vaccine was previously only available at private clinics and pharmacies as a single jab, at a cost of around £150.
Research shows that chickenpox in childhood costs the UK economy around £24m in lost income and productivity every year.
The vaccine is also expected to save the NHS £15m a year in costs for treating the common condition, meaning the total saved could be £39m.
The combined MMRV vaccine 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, where there have been substantial decreases in cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.
How will the new jabs programme work?
Local GP surgeries will be contacting families from today to let them know when they are due their vaccinations and can book their child for their appointment, usually by letter, text message, phone call or email.
Children born on or after 1 January, 2025, will be offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months, while children born between 1 July, 2024, and 31 December, 2024, will be offered two doses at 18 months and 3 years, 4 months.
Children born between 1 September, 2022, and 30 June, 2024, will be offered one dose at 3 years 4 months, and the NHS is also planning a single-dose catch-up programme later in the year for older children born between 1 January, 2020, and 31 August, 2022.
How serious is chickenpox?
Latest data shows that currently half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90 per cent by the age of 10.
While chickenpox is a common infection in children that normally results in mild symptoms, it can sometimes lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits.
The changes are being introduced following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Children who catch chickenpox are typically advised to stay off school until all spots have formed a scab, which is usually five days after the spots appear.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “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.
“With a vaccine now being introduced into the NHS Childhood Vaccination programme starting today, I hope parents will make it one of their New Year’s resolutions to ensure their child takes up the offer, when invited.”
Chickenpox vaccination is a game-changer
Wes Streeting
If you’re a parent or carer, you’ll know the feeling: the late-night temperature checks, the panic when your child’s breathing sounds wrong, the helplessness of watching them suffer and wishing you could take it away.
That fear is universal.
And it’s exactly why today’s expansion of the NHS childhood vaccination programme is such a game-changer, for families up and down the country.
From now on, children in England will be routinely protected against chickenpox as part of the combined MMRV vaccine, offered at 12 and 18 months, on the NHS, for free.
For generations, chickenpox has been treated as an unavoidable rite of passage.
Usually mild, yes, but sometimes devastating.
Chest infections, seizures, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, life-threatening flesh-eating diseases.
No parent wants to see their child rushed into intensive care because of complications that began with “just chickenpox”.
This change is about giving parents peace of mind. Half of children catch chickenpox by the age of four, and nine in ten by 10 years old.
When they do, they’re often off nursery or school for a week, sometimes longer.
That means missed learning for children and missed work for parents, who juggle sick leave, childcare and worry.
Research shows chickenpox costs families and the wider economy around £24m a year in lost income and productivity.
Preventing illness isn’t just compassionate, it’s practical.
Some families have chosen to opt for private vaccinations, costing around £150 for a full course of two doses. Today’s roll-out means vaccinations are now available free of charge on the NHS to eligible children.
The science is clear.Whether combined or offered separately, vaccinations prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.
Other countries where the MMRV vaccine is already offered – such as Germany, Canada, and the United States – have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.
This is all part of this Government’s drive to help support parents to raise the healthiest generation of children ever – and giving mums and dads one less thing to worry about.
Wes Streeting is the Health Secretary
Health chiefs urge parents to get their children vaccinated
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.”
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Scottish Health Secretary, Neil Gray, said: “This is a major step forward in protecting the health of our children into adulthood and for generations to come.
“Evidence from around the world shows this vaccine is safe and effective at preventing ill health in children, which also means fewer disruptions to school and work.”
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, said: “I would urge parents to take up the offer of vaccination, and if they have questions to speak to their GP for further information.”
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