Ep 28. Chickenpox Vaccine 2026 - What It Means for Your Child

Chickenpox Vaccine 2026 — What It Means for Your Child

From January 2026, the NHS is introducing routine vaccination against chickenpox as part of the childhood immunisation programme. This marks a major shift in how the UK approaches a virus often seen as mild, but one that can cause serious complications, hospital admissions and significant disruption for families.

In this episode, we explore what this change really means, especially for parents asking: What if my child has already had chickenpox, or was vaccinated privately before the NHS rollout?

We break down the benefits of routine chickenpox vaccination, including fewer infections, fewer severe cases, and protection for babies, pregnant women and immunocompromised people who are most at risk. We also discuss the known risks and side effects, how these compare with natural infection, and what the evidence tells us about overall safety.

A key focus is the combined MMRV vaccine. We explain why chickenpox is being added to the existing measles, mumps and rubella programme, how combination vaccines work, and what parents should know about timing, immune response and the small increase in short-term side effects seen with combination jabs in younger children.

We also tackle the bigger public health questions. What does widespread vaccination mean for the future of chickenpox? Is eradication possible? And how might reduced circulation of the virus affect shingles rates later in life? We look at what other countries have learned, what is still being monitored, and why long-term surveillance matters.

Whether you’re deciding what to do after a previous infection, a private vaccine, or simply want to understand the reasoning behind this major policy change, this episode offers balanced, evidence-based discussion to help you make informed choices with confidence.