Children are now offered protection against chickenpox, with the launch of the MMRV vaccine

For most children chickenpox can be mild, but for others it can be serious and lead to complications and hospitalisation. So, from 1st January 2026 children will now be offered protection against chickenpox in the NHS routine childhood vaccine schedule from 12 months old.


The chickenpox protection will be given in an MMRV vaccine, which also protects against measles, mumps and rubella, giving protection against 4 diseases in one. The first dose of the vaccine will be given children’s routine 12 month appointment and replaces the MMR vaccine. The second dose will be routinely given at a new 18 month appointment for children born on or before 31st July 2024, with those born before this date getting their scheduled dose at their 3 years 4 month scheduled appointment.
Children who were born between 1st January 2020 and 31st August 2022 will be offered a single dose of MMRV from November 2026 as part of a catch up. For children over the age of 6 years, it is likely they have already had chickenpox and remain eligible for their MMR vaccine.


These changes are taking place in line with clinical advice on the best way to protect children and babies from infectious diseases.
Please continue to book your child’s vaccination appointments when you receive your invite from your child’s GP practice. If you would like any further information, please speak to your GP Practice.

Frequently asked questions

Can parents ask for MMR instead of MMRV or MMRV instead of MMR?

 

  • Children eligible for MMRV in their routine vaccine schedule are not eligible for MMR and vice versa.
  • Vaccines should be administered as per the routine schedule as these have been recommended for efficacy for the child’s age.
  • A child who has had chickenpox can still safely have MMRV.
  • Should a child have had any of the diseases their preexisting immunity will inhibit replication of the vaccine viruses.
  • Those born on or after 01.09.2022 will have likely already been exposed to chicken pox, so may already be immune.
  • A varicella only vaccine is also not available by request on the NHS routine schedule.

What if a child has no vaccination history, or has come from abroad with incomplete or unknown vaccine history?

 

  • Health care professional must check if the child has had any MMR or MMRV vaccines with parents where possible.
  • If they have, check if they align with the NHS routine vaccine schedule and if they have received the vaccines for their age.
  • If they have not, vaccinate according to the routine schedule for their age.
  • If a child presents with no known vaccination history, vaccinate as per the NHS routine schedule.

Why are some children given 3 doses of MMRV?

  • Children born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 should have received an MMR at 12 months, prior to the introduction of the MMRV programme. They will be offered 2 MMRV vaccines at 18 months and 3 years 4 months.
    The rationale for this is twofold. Children in this age cohort are less likely than older children to have been exposed to chickenpox already and will have more peers who are susceptible to chickenpox. They also have 2 further scheduled appointments which present the opportunity to give them 2 MMRV doses. There are no safety concerns with giving 3 MMR-containing vaccines.
    As both MMR and MMRV vaccines are live, there is no additional risk of adverse events from giving additional doses.