Starting January 2026, parents in the UK will no longer have to pay privately for the chickenpox vaccine, as the NHS rolls out a free nationwide programme for young children. The jab will be administered in two doses at 12 and 18 months, combined with the existing MMR vaccine that guards against measles, mumps, and rubella. Health officials believe this move will significantly reduce cases of chickenpox and prevent rare but severe complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, or stroke. Ministers also highlighted that the initiative could save families time and the UK economy millions in lost productivity each year. Experts, including members of the JCVI, say the decision marks a major public health milestone, predicting chickenpox could soon become an illness of the past.