Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any regional pilot schemes will be introduced prior to the national rollout of the chickenpox vaccine for children.

From 1 January 2026, general practices will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule. There are no plans for regional pilot schemes prior to the national rollout of the chickenpox vaccine for children.

The eligibility criteria for children will be set out in clinical guidance, which will be published in due course, covering which age groups will get the MMRV vaccine and when, to ensure the most effective protection for children.