Chickenpox Vaccine Rolled Out for UK Toddlers from April 2025

Young children across the UK are now being offered protection against chickenpox on the NHS for the first time, following the rollout of a new combined vaccine.

From 1 January, the chickenpox vaccine has been added to the routine childhood immunisation programme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland confirming its rollout will begin in early January. The vaccine is delivered as part of a combined jab known as MMRV, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox.

Chickenpox Vaccine

The vaccine is given at 12 months and 18 months of age, replacing the existing MMR injections. Children up to the age of six will also be offered catch up doses, depending on their date of birth.

Health experts say the change will spare thousands of families the disruption caused by chickenpox each year and significantly reduce the number of severe cases. Until now, parents who wanted to protect their children against chickenpox had to pay privately, often at a cost of up to £200.

Chickenpox is extremely common in childhood, with around 90 percent of children catching it before the age of 10. The infection usually causes an itchy rash that blisters and scabs, along with fever, aches and several days of feeling unwell. It spreads easily, and a week away from school or nursery is often unavoidable.

While most children recover without complications, the illness can sometimes become serious. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, warned that chickenpox can lead to hospital admission and, in rare cases, death.

She said complications can include infected skin lesions and, more rarely, conditions such as encephalitis, pneumonia and stroke. Babies, adults and pregnant women face a higher risk of serious illness.

For some families, the consequences are life changing. Maria Horton, from Plymouth, said her daughter Beth suffered a stroke weeks after catching chickenpox at the age of two and a half. Beth lives with lasting pain, speech difficulties and limited use of her right hand.

Ms Horton said she would never hesitate to vaccinate if she could go back in time. She added that preventing another family from experiencing the same trauma would be invaluable.

Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director at NHS England, described the rollout as a hugely positive moment for children and parents. Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged families to take up the offer, calling it a historic step in protecting children from a disease that sends thousands to hospital each year.

The MMRV vaccine has been used safely for decades in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany. Those countries have seen sharp falls in chickenpox cases and fewer serious complications. Studies show the chickenpox component of the vaccine is around 97 percent effective after two doses and provides long lasting protection.

The UK previously held back from introducing the vaccine due to concerns over cost and fears it could increase shingles cases in older adults. Long term evidence from other countries has not supported those concerns.

New research also highlights the economic impact of chickenpox. NHS England estimates that childhood chickenpox costs the UK around £24 million a year in lost income and productivity, while vaccination could save around £15 million annually in NHS treatment costs.

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Following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in November 2023, the government approved the nationwide rollout.

Professional bodies have welcomed the move. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said the programme was long overdue, while the Royal College of General Practitioners stressed that childhood vaccines are among the most important health protections parents can offer.

Who is eligible and when?

Children born after 1 January 2026 will automatically be offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months.

A catch up programme will apply as follows:

• Children born on or after 1 January 2025 will receive two doses at 12 and 18 months
• Children born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 will receive two doses at 18 months and at age three years and four months
• Children born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024 will receive one dose at age three years and four months
• Children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 will be offered a single dose later in 2026

Children aged six or older by the end of 2025 will not be eligible, as most will already have had chickenpox.

GP surgeries will contact families directly when vaccinations are due.