Chickenpox is common. Usually it is just unpleasant, but it can be severe or life threatening.
A long established vaccine to prevent it will be offered to all children rather than only those who can pay.
Immunity by vaccination is safer than by infection.
We're launching a chickenpox vaccination programme which will protect around half a million children each year.
From January 2026, eligible children will get an MMRV vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Eligibility will be announced in due course.