Chickenpox vaccine to be offered on NHS next year as part of routine MMR jab for babies

A vaccine against chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England for the first time next year.

The varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150.

But under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS childhood immunization programmer - joining the current range against measles, mumps, and rubella.