Chickenpox vaccination programme

The Government has announced its intention to launch an NHS chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026. The programme will see eligible children receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, as part of the MMR vaccine.

Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children | GOV.UK

Our Director of NHS Services, Alastair Buxton, said:

“Community Pharmacy England is committed to increasing the range of NHS vaccination programmes commissioned from pharmacies, including for childhood programmes. That is aligned with proposals in the Vision for Community Pharmacy and the aspirations of pharmacy owners. Some pharmacies are commissioned at a local level to provide MMR vaccinations and those services will likely be updated by commissioners to use the new vaccine in 2026.”