Chickenpox vaccine rolled out to children on NHS – how can your child get one?

The NHS is rolling out out a vaccine for young children that protects against chickenpox.

For the first time, youngsters across the UK will be offered the vaccine, which will be adminstered as part of the MMR jab, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

The news has been welcomed by health experts, who say chickenpox, although mild for many, can be ‘very serious’, even fatal, for some.

With many parents forced to take time off work to care for their children when they have chickenpox, it’s also hoped the vaccine will reduce this burden.

Although new on the NHS, the combined jab has been offered by several other countries for decades, including the US, Canada, Australia and Germany.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘This is going to make a real difference for children and families right across our country, because while chickenpox can be irritable and difficult for children, it can also be extremely serious and occasionally even fatal.’

‘It’s going to reach so many children, young people, keeping them healthy, making sure their parents don’t have to take weeks off work dealing with an irritable and unwell child.’

The rollout across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland comes after the combined MMRV jab was recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in 2023.

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a common infection which spreads easily among young children.

It is usually mild but can lead to serious complications and in rare cases can be fatal.

Around £24 million is lost in income and productivity in the UK every year as parents take time to care for their children, estimates suggest.

The vaccine is also expected to save the health service £15 million a year in costs for treating the condition, NHS England said.

Who will receive the chickenpox vaccine?

NHS England said children born on or after January 1 2025 will be offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months, while children born between July 1 2024 and December 31 2024 will be offered two doses at 18 months and three years and four months.

Children born between September 1 2022 and June 30 2024 will be offered one dose at three years and four months, and the NHS is also planning a single-dose catch-up program later in the year for children born between January 1 2020 and August 31 2022.

How can my child receive the chickenpox vaccine?

The vaccine will be available on the NHS from Friday, January 2 and if your child falls into the age ranges mentioned above you should be invited by your GP for an appointment at the appropriate time. If you don’t, get in touch with your practice.

If your child falls outside the age range, you can pay to have it adminstered privately. Boots and Superdrug are among pharmacists offering the jab for around £75 for one dose, and £150 for the full course of two doses.

The vaccine is available to children aged from 1 and to adults aged up to 65.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Early symptoms that come one to two days before the rash include fever, tiredeness or feeling unwell, headache, loss of appetite, and occasionally a sore throat.

A rash made up of small red spots then tend to appear, usually starting onthe face, chest or back.

The spots turn into itchy, fluid-filled blisters, before breaking then drying out to form scabs.

The rash can spread over most of the body, including the scalp, mouth, or eyelids.

Chickenpox is very contagious, especially before the rash appears and until all blisters have crusted over, which tends to takes around a week.

For most, it’s not a serious illness but it can be dangerous for those with weakened immune systems who have a lowered ability to fight germs and sickness.

Getting chickenpox usually provides immunity for life. It is possible to contract it twice, but its uncommon.

Are there any side effects with the chickenpox vaccine?

According to the NHS, most side effects of the chickenpox vaccine are mild and do not last long.

They can include swelling or pain where the injection was given, a high temperature and a rash in the area where the injection was given or more widespread. The rash usually develops within one month of vaccination.

More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, urged parents to make it one of their ‘New Year resolutions to ensure their child takes up the offer, when invited’.

She added: ‘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 program will have a really positive impact on the health of young children.’

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