Overview

• The varicella shot will be offered at GP practices as part of the routine childhood schedule starting January 2026, with protection expected for around 500,000 children each year.
• The jab will be delivered as a combined MMRV vaccine that will eventually replace the current MMR doses given at 12 and 18 months.
• Government estimates indicate roughly £24 million a year in avoided parental lost income alongside the NHS savings.
• Eligibility details and any catch-up arrangements have not yet been published.
• The rollout removes a private cost of about £150 per course and follows UKHSA data showing multi-year lows in uptake of other routine childhood vaccines.