After decades of delay, the UK will finally introduce the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule starting January 2026 — and Putney families are being urged to understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how to act now.
The vaccine, which has been safely used in countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia for decades, will be offered for free on the NHS to children in two doses at 12 and 18 months via the new MMRV jab (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella combined).
The aim is clear: cut down on thousands of school absences, GP visits, and hospital stays, and to shift the NHS towards prevention, rather than cure.
“This is a safe, effective vaccine that protects children from unnecessary suffering and families from needless disruption,” said a spokesperson from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
A Vaccine With a Long Track Record
The chickenpox vaccine was first developed in Japan in the 1970s and licensed for use in the U.S. in 1995, where it’s now part of the standard childhood jab schedule. Since then, it has proven to be:
- Over 95% effective at preventing moderate to severe chickenpox
- Safe, with mild side effects like low fever or temporary rash
- Enduring, with long-term immunity for most children
Yet the UK had, until now, held off offering the vaccine to all children. Health officials were cautious, worried it might raise shingles rates in adults by reducing community exposure to the virus. But after nearly 30 years of real-world global data, those concerns have largely been dismissed.
Why Now? The Numbers Make Sense
Recent UK modelling showed that including the chickenpox vaccine in the NHS schedule will save:
- Over 30,000 GP appointments per year
- Thousands of days off school
- Thousands of working hours lost by parents
- A significant number of hospitalisations, especially in children under five
Add to that the fact that the vaccine will be delivered as part of a single MMRV jab, and the case becomes overwhelming. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) formally recommended the rollout in late 2023, with the government confirming the January 2026 start this week.
Where to Get It in Putney (Before January)
Although the NHS programme starts in 2026, Putney parents can already access the chickenpox vaccine privately:
- Your Pharmacy & Travel Clinic (Roehampton Vale) – Offers both doses privately
- Chartfield Surgery (Putney Hill) – Provides the Varivax jab to both patients and non-patients
- Superdrug Health Clinic (Putney Exchange) – £75 per dose; walk-in or online booking available
These are useful options for parents wanting early protection or for older children who won’t qualify under the new infant schedule.
Chickenpox: Not Always Mild
Chickenpox may seem like a harmless childhood illness — but it can be serious. Each year in England:
- 20,000 children end up in hospital with complications ranging from dehydration to pneumonia
- It can lead to dangerous secondary infections, especially in babies, immunocompromised individuals, or pregnant women
- Most cases mean a week or more off school and work, even in uncomplicated cases
A Step Toward Preventative Health
The decision to roll out the chickenpox vaccine nationally reflects a wider shift in NHS strategy: placing prevention and early intervention at the heart of care. The rollout comes amid renewed concern over childhood immunisation rates, which have dipped below safe levels in many parts of London.
To that end, the South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has urged parents to catch up on missed MMR jabs, particularly for children starting school in September. With measles cases rising in the capital, the call is urgent: don’t wait.
