Introduction to Chickenpox Vaccination
All young children in the UK can now be offered protection from chickenpox on the NHS for the first time. The vaccine will be combined with the existing MMR vaccination, given at ages 12 and 18 months, which already helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Children up to the age of six can find out about the vaccine upon invitation. Experts believe the new combination vaccine, called MMRV, where V stands for varicella – another name for chickenpox – is expected to reduce the number of many thousands of families affected by the infection each year and prevent the most serious cases.
What is Chickenpox
Chickenpox is very common in young children. The main feature is an itchy, blotchy rash that blisters and then crusts over. It can be painful and cover the body from head to toe. Children often feel unwell for several days, have fever and muscle aches. It is also easy to spread. About 90% of children under 10 will get chickenpox at some point, and a week off from school or daycare is fairly common.
Serious Complications of Chickenpox
But it can develop into something more serious. For some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospitalizations and, tragically, although rare, fatal. Complications can include bacterial infection of the scab and, much more rarely, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), pneumonia (pneumonitis) and stroke. Small children and adults are more likely to become seriously ill with the infection. Pregnant women are particularly at risk due to possible complications for both the mother and the unborn child.
Personal Experience with Chickenpox
Maria Horton’s daughter Beth was just two and a half years old when she suffered a stroke a few weeks after contracting chickenpox. "She collapsed, her arm and leg were completely limp and then she had a seizure," said Ms Horton, who lives in Plymouth. Since then, Beth has had to live with many consequences – she can’t use her right hand, has difficulty speaking and lives in pain, her mother said. “I know some people are hesitant about vaccinations, but if I had known years ago what I know now, I wouldn’t hesitate to give her the vaccine.”
Rollout of the MMRV Vaccine
From January 1, the MMRV vaccine will be included in the standard list of childhood vaccinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The MMRV vaccine has been used safely for decades in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, where the number of people suffering from chickenpox has declined and fewer severe cases have occurred. The part of the vaccine that protects against chickenpox has been shown to be very effective – about 97% after two doses – and long-lasting.
Benefits of the MMRV Vaccine
The rollout of the MMRV vaccine is expected to save £15 million a year in NHS treatment costs. According to NHS England, an estimated £24 million of income and productivity is lost in the UK every year due to childhood chickenpox. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) recommended the vaccine be rolled out in the NHS in November 2023. “Families will save both time and money – they will no longer face loss of income because they have to miss work or pay for private vaccinations,” said Health Minister.
Who Can Get Vaccinated Against Chickenpox and When
Protection against chickenpox is provided by a new combination vaccine called MMRV, which will replace the current MMR vaccination. This combined vaccination protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox). Children born after January 1, 2026, will automatically be offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. As part of a catch-up program, older children will receive one or two doses depending on their date of birth. GP practices will contact families to arrange an appointment when vaccinations are due.
Eligibility for the MMRV Vaccine
- Children born on or after January 1, 2025: Two doses will be offered, one at 12 months and one at 18 months
- Children born between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024: Two doses will be offered, one at 18 months of age and another at 3 years and 4 months of age
- Children born between September 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024: A dose is offered after 3 years and 4 months
- Children born between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022: A single dose will be offered later in 2026
Children who are six years old or older on the last day of 2025 are not eligible for MMRV because they have likely already had chickenpox infection.
