Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated of our reports dated February 13, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

August 1, 2019