GP practices will start to offer children a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age to add chickenpox to the protections against measles, mumps and rubella.
Chickenpox is a common infection in children that spreads easily. It is usually mild, but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and seizures.
Children will now be offered protection against chickenpox following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations, with a combined MMRV vaccine replacing the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
The latest data indicates that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of ten.
The rollout is expected to save the NHS £15m a year in costs for treating the common condition.
Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director for NHS England, said: ‘This is a hugely positive moment for children and their families, providing protection against chickenpox for the first time and adding to the arsenal of routine vaccinations we give to children to safeguard them against serious illnesses.'
Health secretary Wes Streeting added: ‘This new protection will give parents reassurance that their children are protected from a disease that sends thousands to hospital every year. Families will save both time and money - no longer facing lost income from taking time off work or having to fork out for private vaccinations.
‘We are determined to give every child the best start in life. I urge all parents to take up this offer when their GP contacts them - vaccines save lives.'
Children born on or after 1 January 2025 will be offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months, while children born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 will be offered two doses at 18 months and 3 years, 4 months.
Children born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024 will be offered one dose at 3 years 4 months, and the NHS is also planning a single-dose catch-up programme later in the year for older children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine were previously offered to children at 12 months and at 3 years, 4 months of age but the second dose will be brought forward to 18 months for children born on or after 1 July 2024 to provide them with earlier protection.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: ‘This vaccine has been used extensively for many years in a number of countries and has been shown to be highly effective with a good safety profile. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children.'
In response, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's president, Professor Steven Turner, said: ‘It is welcome news that a chickenpox vaccine is now being rolled out across England and the whole of the UK in order to protect children and young people.
‘Vaccinations are proven to be a very effective way to protect children's health and prevent serious illness. Making sure your child is vaccinated is a vital step for parents and carers in keeping them safe.'
