Chickenpox: Vaccination
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding has been allocated to support (a) GP surgeries and (b) health visitors in delivering the chickenpox vaccine as part of the MMRV jab.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
From January 2026, the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccination programme will form part of the routine childhood immunisations offered in England. The MMRV vaccine will be offered at general practices (GPs) as part of routine infant vaccination appointments.
GPs are funded for vaccines through a mix of national contracts and service-based payments from NHS England. They receive a base fee per patient on their list, plus payment of an Item of Service (IoS) fee for specific vaccines.
From 1 April 2025, following negotiations for the 2025/26 GP contract, GPs have received an IoS fee of £12.06 for the delivery of MMR vaccines, in line with other routine childhood immunisations. The IoS of £12.06 will also apply to the delivery of MMRV vaccinations from January 2026.
NHS England is working with local systems to establish a pilot scheme in some areas across England which will explore delivery of the Government’s manifesto commitment to enable vaccinations to babies and young children as part of health visits. Pilots are currently in the development stage, but funding has been allocated in 2025/26 to support delivery of this programme.
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