MMRV Vaccine
MMRV Vaccine to Include Free Chickenpox Protection from January 2026
From January 2026, children in England will be offered the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine for free as part of the NHS routine childhood immunisation programme. This is the first time the vaccine has been made available on the NHS and marks a significant step in protecting children’s health.
The new jab will be given as part of the MMRV vaccine (covering measles, mumps, rubella and varicella/chickenpox) during the usual vaccination schedule at GP surgeries.
You can read the full announcement on the gov.uk website, but here’s what to know about the new MMRV Vaccine:
- Fewer infections: Adding chickenpox protection will reduce how often children catch the illness and help prevent serious complications, such as skin infections or, in rare cases, hospitalisation.
- Less disruption: Fewer cases of chickenpox mean fewer days missed at nursery or school, and less time parents need to take off work.
- Economic benefits: It’s estimated that the programme will save families around £24 million a year in lost income and reduce NHS costs by about £15 million annually.
- Proven abroad: The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for many years in countries such as Canada, Australia, Germany and the US, with excellent results.
What this means for you and your child
If your child is eligible, you will be contacted by your GP surgery to arrange the vaccination. As this is part of the routine immunisation schedule, many children will receive the jab in line with their usual appointments.
Why it matters at nursery
Chickenpox can be more than just an itchy rash. Some children may suffer more serious complications, and there’s always the risk of spreading it to more vulnerable children or staff. With this new vaccine, we hope to see fewer absences, less disruption, and increased wellbeing for all our nursery community.
For more information, you can read the full Government announcement here:
🔗 Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children ↗️