Children in the UK will be immunised against chickenpox alongside measles, mumps and rubella from Friday, as the NHS introduces a combined vaccine across all four home nations.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, used since 1988, is being replaced by the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against varicella, or chickenpox. Infants will receive two doses at 12 and 18 months.
The move aligns the UK with Canada, Australia and Germany, where routine MMRV vaccination has significantly reduced chickenpox cases and hospital admissions. Chickenpox is common but can cause serious complications such as chest infections and fits.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting called it a historic milestone, while Dr Claire Fuller of NHS England said it provides protection against chickenpox for the first time in routine immunisation. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended the switch, which is projected to save the NHS £15m annually and families £24m in lost income.
Professor Helen Bedford of University College London noted that previous concerns about shingles have been addressed by a shingles vaccine programme for older people, making the decision evidence-based.
