New Zealand's drug agency, PHARMAC, will fund one dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for all 15 month olds from 1 July 2017. Eleven year olds who haven’t been exposed to chickenpox and have not been vaccinated will also be eligible. 

The chickenpox vaccine will be the fourth shot received at the 15 month visit, and the 10th vaccine injection on the Immunisation Schedule from six weeks old (plus 3 doses of the oral rotavirus vaccine). Fifteen month olds already receive 3 vaccines according to the Immunisation Schedule, these are the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), and the Pneumococcal (PCV10). 

New Zealanders are a hardy lot, many of whom had ancestors who travelled on long voyages to arrive in these islands, we are not afraid of a few itchy spots.  As long as we do not use ibuprofen or aspirin, which are contraindicated for chickenpox, most recover from chickenpox and obtain lifelong immunity whereas it is uncertain how long immunity from the vaccine would be inferred.  There are many contraindications to the vaccine and many reactions have been reported which should you choose to go through with this vaccine, you should be aware of.  

Link to Varicella Datasheet for this live virus vaccine (Medsafe website): http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/v/Varilrixinj.pdf 

Link to Suspected Medical Adverse Reaction Search (SMARS), where a search for Varicella reactions can be conducted: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Projects/B1/ADRSearch.asp