JANUARY 2026 will see the UK embarking on a new era of Health, with the arrival of free Chickenpox Vaccinations in England.

In what is a landmark move by the UK Government, the NHS will offer a free chickenpox vaccination to children across England starting in January 2026. This initiative marks the 1st time a universal chickenpox vaccine will be available on the NHS, promising to protect thousands of children and deliver a powerful economic boost.

This vaccination program will eligible children to be able to receive a combined:- measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule. This proactive measure will shield kids from a common, yet disruptive, illness. The benefits extend far beyond individual health, impacting families and the national economy.

This vaccination program isn't just about health; it's a strategic financial investment. By preventing widespread cases of chickenpox, the NHS stands to save a staggering:- £15 million a year in treatment costs. The chickenpox vaccine has a proven track record of safety and effectiveness, having been successfully integrated into routine schedules for decades in countries like the:- United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. England is now joining this global effort to build a healthier, more productive future.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said that:- "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 and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work. This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to give every child the best possible start in life, and this rollout will help to do exactly that. The vaccination programme forms part of the government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of our Plan for Change; boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention."

If successful this vaccine will help reduce cases of chickenpox and protect children from serious complications that can cause hospitalisation, such as bacterial infections like:- Strep A, brain and lung inflammation, and stroke.

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. t is excellent news that from next January we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme; helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life saver. We now have extensive experience from a number of countries showing that the vaccine has a good safety record and is highly effective. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and also lead to fewer missed Nursery and School days."

The UK Government’s decision to roll out the MMRV vaccine in January 2026 is based on expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Their research shows that chickenpox has a significant impact on:- children's health, Hospital admissions and associated costs.

Private vaccinations for chickenpox at pharmacies and clinics currently cost around:- £150 for a full course of 2 doses. This rollout will mean the vaccination will be available free of charge on the NHS to eligible children.

Other countries, such as:- Germany, Canada and the United States; all have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related Hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.

Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:- "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. We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to roll out the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses. The MMRV vaccine rollout forms part of the government’s overall aim to ensure young people thrive, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes expanding access to vaccines, as well as free school meals, mental health support and dental care. This is the 1st time protection against another disease has been added to the routine childhood vaccination programme since the MenB vaccine in 2015."

Meanwhile, the Department for Education has recently announced plans to roll out of:- 'Best Start Family Hubs' in every local area, relieving pressure on parents and giving half a million more children the very best start in life.

The eligibility criteria for children will be set out in clinical guidance covering which age groups will get the MMRV vaccine and when, to ensure the most effective protection for children.

As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible.

Will you be getting your child vaccinated? We’d love to hear your views on this landmark decision to make the vaccine—normally costing between £150 and £500 through private healthcare in the UK—available free of charge on the NHS. Share your thoughts by emailing our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or by posting a response below.