A chickenpox vaccine is set to be rolled out on the NHS across England from January, officials have announced.

The vaccine for chickenpox, a common childhood illness which is usually mild, will form part of a new combined immunisation on the childhood vaccination programme.

It is hoped it will not only protect some youngsters from severe complications from the virus - but also prevent parents taking time off work if they have to look after their sick children.

The vaccine is expected to offer protection to around 500,000 children every year when it becomes available from GPs in January.

The main symptom of the highly-contagious disease is an itchy, spotty rash

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, the Deputy Director of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal.

"It is excellent news, that from next January, we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme - helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life-saver."

The main symptom of the highly-contagious disease is an itchy, spotty rash all over the body, but children can also experience a high temperature, a loss of appetite, and may feel generally unwell.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), a £24million cost is incurred every year in the UK because of chickenpox.

This is due to a loss of income and productivity as parents have to take time off to look after their sick children.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said: "We're giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work.

"This vaccine puts children's health first and gives working families the support they deserve."

The jab is currently available for £150 from private clinics and pharmacies, and is already part of routine vaccine schedules in Germany, Australia, Canada and the US.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the vaccine 'puts children's health first'

The introduction of the jab on the NHS was originally suggested in November 2023 by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK health departments.

Known as the varicella immunisation, it is set to be combined with the MMR jab, which is currently offered to babies aged between 12 and 18 months, to become the MMRV vaccine.

Amanda Doyle, the National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: "This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.

"We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to roll out the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses."

However, new data revealed that in England across 2024-25, none of the main childhood vaccines reached the uptake target of 95 per cent.