Health minister: ‘I want to thank GPs for making chickenpox vaccination possible’

In an exclusive op-ed, MP and minister for public health and prevention Ashley Dalton thanks GPs and healthcare workers for stepping up to deliver the NHS’s first-ever chickenpox vaccination programme

As we usher in the NHS’s first-ever chickenpox vaccination programme, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the GPs, nurses, and brilliant NHS staff whose dedication will help make this milestone possible.

They have stepped up time and again to help keep us and our children vaccinated and safe, and as of last week, they will be welcoming the next generation through their doors for their MMRV jab.

Their commitment to delivering life-saving care, grounded in science and compassion, is at the heart of this transformative step for families across England. It’s also core to our pledge in the 10 Year-Health Plan to move the NHS further towards a service which doesn’t just treat sickness but helps prevent it.

For parents, the anxiety of watching a child suffer through chickenpox – often mild, but sometimes all too severe – will soon be a thing of the past.

Thanks to the combined MMRV vaccine, offered at 12 and 18 months, children will now be protected against the disease, alongside measles, mumps, and rubella.

It means fewer sleepless nights, fewer missed days at nursery or school, and fewer parents forced to take time off work.

And it is not just the health benefits which are significant.

Research shows that chickenpox in childhood costs UK families and the wider economy around £24 million a year in lost income and productivity. By preventing illness, this rollout will also save the NHS an estimated £15 million annually in treatment costs.

We also know families have chosen to pay privately for vaccinations, at a cost of around £150. Now this protection is free of charge on the NHS – a real boost for household budgets.

The evidence is clear: Countries already using the MMRV vaccine have seen dramatic reductions in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions.

This is about trust in our health service, in the expertise of our clinicians, and in the power of prevention. By working together, we’re not only safeguarding children’s health but also supporting working families and strengthening our NHS for the future.

To every GP, nurse, and healthcare professional: thank you. Your efforts are giving parents peace of mind and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.

Ashley Dalton is the minister for public health and prevention