England to add varicella vaccine to routine MMRV from January 2026

England will begin offering a free chickenpox vaccine to all children from January 2026, the health service announced, adding varicella protection to the routine measles, mumps and rubella jab and replacing the existing MMR with a combined MMRV vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended the move in November 2023, and health officials say the programme will protect roughly 500,000 children a year and cut an estimated £15 million a year in NHS treatment costs while reducing around £24 million a year in lost income and productivity.

The varicella vaccine will be given in two doses at 12 and 18 months, and officials are considering a catchup campaign for slightly older under fives. The change also follows an adjustment to the timing of the second MMR dose, which for children born from July last year will now be given at 18 months, health officials said. The vaccine is a live, weakened preparation and is not recommended for people with severely weakened immune systems.

Health ministers and experts said the move brings England into line with countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, which have long offered routine varicella...