The Health Service Executive has announced that the chickenpox vaccine will be made available free of charge for all babies born on or after 1 October last year.
The vaccine will be available once a child turns 12 months of age as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule offered by GPs.
Dr Ciara Martin, a consultant in Emergency Medicine, welcomed the announcement as a "great celebration".
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said they had been "waiting a while" for this to come in.
She said that although chickenpox can be a mild disease, there are a number of complications associated with it, including skin infections and viral pneumonia, and in rare cases it can affect the nerves and brain.
There have been a number of changes to the vaccination schedule, she said, and this was seen as a good time to add the chickenpox vaccine.
"It was felt that this is a good time to start it now, when we're just settling into a new schedule of vaccinations that will continue for the next five or six years," she said.
"It's been a little slow to come through, that is true, but I think that the focus is that we have it now ... it's a safe vaccine. It certainly has been available for a number of years."
Dr Martin said that "unfortunately" parents of children born before 1 October 2024 will have to pay for the vaccination.
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She said the current uptake of childhood vaccines is around 85-90%, which she said is "a little concerning" because it should be around 95% for herd immunity to be achieved.
Dr Chantal Migone, a consultant in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office, said she was "delighted" that the vaccine would now be part of the routine schedule.
"While chickenpox is often seen as a mild illness, it can sometimes cause serious complications needing hospitalisation in children," she said.
"Vaccination at 12 months gives babies important protection against chickenpox and also helps protect the wider community".
Dr Patrick Kelly from the Irish College of GPs advised parents to contact their GP as soon as possible if their child is approaching one year old.
"Getting vaccines on time, every time is the best way to protect your child," he said.
"Your GP and GP practice nurse can answer any questions you have and make sure your baby gets everything they need at the right visit."
The HSE has reminded parents to keep babies on schedule with all recommended vaccines at two, four, six, 12 and 13 months.
Parents are also reminded to bring their baby's blue immunisation passport to each appointment.
