Free chickenpox vaccination to join Northern Ireland’s Childhood Immunisation Programme

Chickenpox vaccination is to be added to Northern Ireland’s childhood immunisation programme from January, offering thousands of children protection each year against an illness that, while often considered mild, can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed the move will mark the first time children in Northern Ireland can receive free protection against chickenpox through the routine childhood vaccination schedule.

Health officials say the change represents a significant step forward in preventing avoidable illness, hospital admissions and disruption for families.

The vaccine will be offered as part of a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) immunisation, following expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The decision follows evidence highlighting the impact severe chickenpox cases can have on children’s health and pressure on hospital services.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said the vaccine would help protect children from both the illness itself and its potentially dangerous consequences.

“Parents will now be able to help protect their children against chickenpox and its serious complications. Chickenpox is often seen as a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and in some cases can be fatal,” she said.

Dr McClean explained that vaccination offers protection not just from the visible symptoms parents commonly recognise.

“By offering this vaccine for free as part of the childhood immunisation programme, we can help protect children against chickenpox – not just the characteristic spots and general unwellness associated with the illness, but also the serious complications that can develop from it such as bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissue like strep A, brain and lung inflammation, and stroke. It’ll also help reduce the number of sick days for kids, and time parents have to take off work, as a result of this highly-transmissible disease.”

Evidence from countries where the vaccine is already in use shows it is both safe and highly effective.

“Evidence from its use in other countries shows that the vaccine has a good safety record and is very effective. Its introduction here will have a really positive impact on the health of our young children,” Dr McClean added.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the announcement, describing it as a major enhancement to the existing vaccination programme.

“I am delighted that children in Northern Ireland will now be offered the chickenpox vaccination, in addition to the other vaccines already included in our well-established childhood vaccination schedule,” he said.

“This is a significant improvement to the childhood vaccination schedule. Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and this vaccine will prioritise their wellbeing and prevent potentially serious complications from chickenpox. I encourage parents and guardians of those eligible to avail of the vaccination, when invited to do so, to help protect their children from this disease.”

Under the updated schedule, children born on or after 1 January 2025 will receive one dose of the MMRV vaccine shortly after their first birthday, followed by a second dose at 18 months of age.

As with other childhood immunisations, parents and guardians will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange appointments when their child becomes eligible. Those unsure whether their child’s vaccinations are up to date are advised to check their child’s red book or speak to their health visitor or GP.

Parents are also being encouraged to arrange catch-up appointments if any vaccinations have been missed, to ensure children have maximum protection against preventable diseases.

Dr McClean said the change mirrors a previous expansion of the immunisation programme.

“This change to the immunisation schedule is the first since 2015 when MenB was added, and this change will similarly mean that children will now be better protected against another potentially fatal disease,” she said.

“After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention in the world for saving lives and promoting good health, and therefore one of the most important things that any parent can do is get their child vaccinated and encourage them to continue this throughout their own lifetime.”

Further information on childhood immunisations and eligibility for the MMRV vaccine is available at

www.nidirect.gov.uk/childhood-immunisation