The UK includes the chickenpox vaccine in its national immunization schedule

The British government has announced that starting in January 2026, children in the UK will receive the chickenpox vaccine through the National Health Service (NHS), reports bmj.com. General practitioners will offer the immunization as part of the mandatory immunization schedule, using a combined quadrivalent vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV).

Currently, the chickenpox vaccine is only available in the private sector in England and costs approximately £150 for a full course of two doses. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) emphasizes that the new measure will protect children from serious complications associated with the infection—including Group A streptococcal bacterial infections, pneumonia, and meningitis.