What is chickenpox and how can I get my child vaccinated?

From January 2026, young children in England and Wales will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine on the NHS, with a catch-up programme for older children. Scotland and Northern Ireland are also expected to offer the vaccine on the NHS, but no dates have been given yet. Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and spreads via direct contact or airborne droplets from coughs and sneezes. It commonly affects children, with about half infected by age four, but people of any age can contract it. Initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches and general malaise, followed by an itchy, spotty rash that can appear anywhere on the body. The spots become fluid-filled blisters then crust over into scabs; people are contagious from two days before spots appear until all have formed scabs, usually about five days after onset. Most childhood cases are mild, but complications such as encephalitis, pneumonitis or stroke can occur, leading to hospitalisation or, very rarely, death. Chickenpox is often more serious in very young infants and adults and can be dangerous in pregnancy.

Young children in England and Wales will soon be offered a free chickenpox vaccine on the NHS. It will be added to the list of standard childhood vaccinations from January 2026, and there will be a catch-up programme for older children. Scotland and Northern Ireland are also expected to offer the vaccine on the NHS, but have not given a date yet.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The virus is transmitted through direct contact between people, or through airborne droplets in coughs and sneezes. It is very easy to catch, especially if you've never had it before. While it mostly affects children - around half have had it by their fourth birthday - people of any age can get it.

The first symptoms include a fever, muscle aches and pains and generally feeling unwell. A couple of days later, an itchy, spotty rash appears. These red or pink dots can appear anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth. Some children might have only a few spots, but others can be covered from head to toe. The spots fill up with fluid and become blisters before crusting over to form scabs, which eventually drop off and clear up.

Read at www.bbc.com