The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that the chickenpox vaccine is being integrated into the routine childhood immunisation programme from January 2026.

This marks the first time that children in Northern Ireland will be offered free protection against the virus, which can lead to severe health issues.

Eligible infants will now receive a combined MMRV vaccine, which provides protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). The decision follows expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which highlighted the impact of severe chickenpox cases on hospital admissions and child health.

While often considered a mild illness, chickenpox can result in dangerous complications, including stroke, brain and lung inflammation, and secondary bacterial infections such as Strep A. The introduction of the vaccine is expected to significantly reduce these risks, as well as the number of school and work days lost due to the highly transmissible disease.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, stated: "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. "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 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."

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the expansion of the schedule, describing it as a "significant improvement" that prioritises the wellbeing of children. This is the first major addition to the immunisation schedule since the Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine was introduced in 2015.

Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "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.

"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."

GP surgeries will contact the parents of eligible children to arrange appointments. Parents are encouraged to check their child's "red book" or consult with their health visitor or GP if they are unsure of their child's vaccination status.

Dr McClean concluded: "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 regarding eligibility and the MMRV vaccine can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/childhood-immunisation.