A chickenpox vaccination programme could be introduced next year as part of the new GP contract 2025/26.
NHS England said the ‘potential’ introduction of a varicella vaccine could be launched in January 2026, subject to ‘final ministerial agreement’.
And it would be given as part of the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
Key changes to the GP contract in England were released last week, although the full contract is yet to be published.
They included adjustments to the routine childhood and adult vaccination schedules, following recommendations by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI).
Also agreed was a £2 rise to the Item of Service (IoS) fee for routine childhood immunisations to £12.06, ‘reflecting the key role that general practice plays in efforts to increase uptake in childhood vaccinations’, said NHS England in a letter sent to practices last week. IoS fees for other vaccinations remain the same.
The letter sets out the changes to vaccinations practices will have to adhere to, subject to government approval. These include:
- Children turning 12 months on or after 1 January 2026 to receive two doses of MMRV (at 12 and 18 months).
- Children turning 18 months on or after 1 January 2026 to receive one dose of MMRV (to complete their two-dose MMR schedule).
- Children aged 18 months to 3 years 4 months on 1 January 2026 to receive one dose of MMRV instead of their second MMR dose. Of this cohort:
– those aged 18 months to 2 years 6 months will be invited to a brought forward appointment for their second MMR dose (as MMRV) between 1 January 2026 and 31 October 2026
– those aged 2 years 7 months to 3 years 4 months on 1 January 2026 will receive their 2nd MMR dose (as MMRV) at their existing scheduled 3 years 4 months appointment before 31 October 2026. - Children aged 3 years 4 months to less than 6 years will be invited for a universal single catch-up dose of MMRV. Appointments to be scheduled from 1 January 2026 and completed by 31 March 2027.
In November 2023, the JCVI recommended that a universal chickenpox vaccination programme be included in the routine childhood immunisation schedule.
The 2025/26 contract also includes two changes to the childhood immunisation schedule, following the discontinuation of the Menitorix (Hib/MenC) vaccine.
These are:
- An additional dose of Hib-containing multivalent (6-in-1) vaccine, offered at a new immunisation visit at 18 months of age.
- The second dose of MMR vaccine brought forwards from 3 years 4 months to the new immunisation visit at 18 months of age to improve coverage. This will apply to children turning 18 months on or after 1 January 2026.
Other changes to the immunisation schedule include:
- The exchange of MenB (meningococcal group B bacteria) and PCV (pneumococcal conjugate) vaccines within the childhood schedule, subject to final ministerial agreement.
- An amendment to the requirement to record the dried blood spot test for at-risk babies has also been introduced, allowing that recording to take place between 12 and 18 months.
- A change to the adult shingles programme, reflecting new evidence on the effectiveness of the vaccination for a broader severely immunosuppressed cohort.
A version of this article was first published by our sister title Nursing in Practice
