Chickenpox: A Parent’s Guide

If you’re a parent chances are your child will come down with chickenpox at some point. It’s one of those childhood illnesses most kids get, usually before the age of 10. While the spots and itching can look dramatic, for most children chickenpox is mild and passes within a week. Our “Chickenpox: A Parent’s Guide” gives you all you need to know to help your little one (and yourself!) through it.

What Exactly Is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It’s very contagious, which is why once it appears in schools or nurseries, it tends to spread quickly. Most children only get it once, and then they’re immune for life.

Fun fact: the same virus can come back later in life as shingles – but that’s a separate condition.

Signs to Look Out For

Chickenpox usually starts with:

A fever
Tiredness and sometimes irritability
A loss of appetite

Then comes the tell-tale rash:

Starts as small red spots
Turns into fluid-filled blisters that can be very itchy
Appears in waves, so you’ll see new spots while older ones are crusting over

The rash can spread all over – even into the mouth, eyelids, and private areas.

How Long Is It Contagious?

Your child is infectious from 1–2 days before the rash appears until every blister has crusted over (usually around 5 days after the first spots). During this time, keep them off school or nursery.

Making Your Child More Comfortable

Chickenpox can’t be “cured” – but you can make it easier for your child to cope:

Itch relief: Use calamine lotion or cooling gels, or try an oatmeal bath.
Clothing: Loose cotton clothes help prevent irritation.
Fever: Give paracetamol (not aspirin, which is unsafe for children).
Distraction: Reading, puzzles, and calm play can help take their mind off scratching.
Nails: Keep nails short to reduce the chance of skin infections from scratching.

When to Call the Doctor

Most cases don’t need a GP visit, but you should seek help if:

Your child is very unwell or the rash spreads to their eyes
The spots become red, hot, and swollen (a sign of infection)
They have breathing difficulties
You’re pregnant, or your child is a baby or has a weakened immune system and may have been exposed

You can always ring NHS 111 if you’re unsure.

The Chickenpox Vaccine: Big Changes Ahead

Until now, the chickenpox vaccine in the UK has been available privately, often costing up to £200. On the NHS, it has only been offered to high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers or people in close contact with someone who is immunocompromised.

But that’s about to change.

NHS Rollout in 2026

From January 2026, all children in the UK will be routinely offered two doses of the chickenpox vaccine as part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme:

12 months old: first dose
18 months old: second dose

They will receive the MMRV vaccine, a combined jab protecting against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).

How It Works

The vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the virus.
It doesn’t guarantee lifetime immunity, but it greatly reduces the chance of catching chickenpox or having a severe case.
Serious side effects are extremely rare.

Because it is a live vaccine, it’s not suitable for children or adults with compromised immune systems (for example, due to chemotherapy or HIV).

Why the Change Now?

A long-term US study showed that vaccinating children does not increase shingles rates, overturning earlier concerns.
Countries such as Germany, Canada, Australia, and the US already include chickenpox vaccination in their standard programmes.
In November 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended routine MMRV vaccination for all UK children, with a catch-up programme also planned for slightly older children who would otherwise miss out.

Uptake Challenges

The announcement came at a time when data showed that none of the main childhood vaccines in England reached the 95% uptake target in 2024/25.

Only 91.9% of five-year-olds had received one MMR dose – the lowest level since 2010/11, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

This highlights the importance of parents staying up to date with their child’s vaccines and taking advantage of the expanded programme.

Final Thoughts for Parents

Chickenpox is still a very common childhood illness in the UK. Most children recover quickly at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and comfort care. But with the new vaccine rollout, parents can look forward to a future where far fewer children have to go through the itchy, spotty week of chickenpox at all.

For now, keep the calamine lotion handy – but from 2026, the next generation of toddlers may not need it at all.