From January next year, the NHS will begin offering a free chickenpox vaccine to children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The jab will be given in two doses at 12 and 18 months, alongside the current MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. A separate catch-up programme will also be in place to ensure slightly older children don’t miss out. Until now, parents wanting protection for their child have typically had to pay privately, with costs reaching around £200.

Chickenpox is usually mild, but in some cases can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and, very rarely, death. It is more dangerous for babies, adults and pregnant women. Health experts say the vaccine will significantly reduce the number of infections and hospitalisations. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) gave the go-ahead last year, following concerns in previous decades that reduced exposure could increase cases of shingles later in life.

The government believes the rollout will not only protect children but also ease the burden on working families, with chickenpox currently estimated to cost the UK £24m a year in lost productivity. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the decision puts “children’s health first” and will save parents from having to take time off work.

Doctors and parents alike have welcomed the move, with some describing the vaccine as potentially “life-saving.” Scotland is expected to follow with a similar programme, although no date has yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, the government is planning new campaigns to encourage vaccine uptake, after data showed childhood immunisation rates remain below target levels.