Free Chickenpox Vaccine to Be Rolled Out for All Children on NHS from January

From January next year, all young children in the UK will be eligible for a free chickenpox vaccine under the National Health Service (NHS).

The vaccine will be administered in two doses at 12 and 18 months, alongside the existing MMR jab for measles, mumps, and rubella. A nationwide catch-up programme will also be introduced to ensure older children do not miss out.

Until now, many parents who wished to protect their children against the chickenpox virus had to pay privately, often up to £200.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the initiative would ease the burden on families and the economy.

“We’re giving parents the power to protect their children. This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve,” he said.



Chickenpox is typically mild but can lead to severe complications, particularly in infants, adults, and pregnant women. In rare cases, it can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, or stroke, sometimes leading to hospitalisation or even death.

The Department of Health and Social Care estimates the illness costs the UK about £24 million annually in lost income and productivity, as parents are forced to take time off work to care for sick children.

Expert Backing

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the rollout in 2023, citing evidence that the jab could dramatically reduce serious cases.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam of the UK Health Security Agency described the vaccine as potentially “life-saving.”
Paediatrician Prof. Adam Finn added:

“Chickenpox is a rotten illness, often dismissed as trivial. With this vaccine, it will soon be a thing of the past.”

Other nations, including the United States, introduced the vaccine in the 1990s. The UK had previously delayed, citing concerns that reduced exposure to chickenpox could increase shingles cases. Experts now believe the risk is negligible.

Parents Welcome Move

Sarah, a mother of two from London, said her daughters Willow and Mia both needed hospital treatment for severe chickenpox last year. Her youngest, Mia, suffered a skin infection that left her “floppy” and dangerously unwell.

“It was terrifying. I would never want any parent or child to go through what we’ve been through,” she said, urging parents to consider vaccination.

Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy

The announcement comes as vaccine uptake across England remains below the World Health Organization’s 95% target. Only 91.9% of five-year-olds received one MMR dose in 2024/25 – the lowest rate since 2010/11.

Minister Kinnock acknowledged the challenge of vaccine hesitancy, which rose during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said new campaigns would highlight vaccine safety and tackle misinformation online.

“It’s our job to win this battle against conspiracy theories and disinformation. Vaccines are 100% safe and save lives,” he said.

The NHS also continues to provide a shingles vaccine for older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

With the rollout, experts say the UK is taking a major step toward making chickenpox “a thing of the past.”