Half a million children a year are to be offered a vaccine for chickenpox on the NHS.

It’ll be rolled out across England from January, combined with the MMR jab given at 12 and 18 months.

The government hopes it’ll protect some youngsters from severe complications and keep children in school.

Nick Merrifield is the lead GP at Holmwood Corner Surgery in New Malden and says people should take every vaccine offered to them.