From January 1, 2026 MMRV vaccine It is due to be introduced into the UK’s routine childhood immunization schedule. When your child will get this vaccine depends on his or her date of birth.
The MMRV vaccine helps protect children against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. Depending on the schedule, children may receive two doses at 12 and 18 months. Older children born after January 1, 2020 will be given 1 or 2 doses of MMRV.
The MMRV vaccine has been used safely for over a decade and is already part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in several countries, including Canada, Australia, and Germany.
This guide will help you understand if your child is eligible for the MMRV vaccine and when to get it.
Why should my child be protected from chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella?
varicella It is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It is very common in young children and causes fever and an itchy, spotty rash. These spots are painful and can appear all over the body. Most children with chickenpox have a mild illness and recover in about a week. Some children have more serious illnesses and may need to be hospitalized. In rare cases, children may develop serious complications, including chest infections, seizures, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
measles It is caused by a virus that spreads very easily. Symptoms include high fever, rash, bloodshot eyes, cough, and runny nose. Children can be out of school for 10 days and one in five people with measles ends up in hospital. Complications include chest infections, seizures, encephalitis (brain infection), and brain damage. It is more severe in infants under 1 year of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. About 1 in 5,000 people who get measles may die from complications.
mumps It is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, and painful and swollen glands in the face, neck, and jaw. Complications from mumps include hearing loss, meningitis, encephalitis, and painful swelling of the testicles and ovaries.
German measles It is caused by a virus. In children, it is usually mild and can cause a rash, swollen glands, and sore throat. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, it can affect the fetus, causing serious damage to vision, hearing, heart, and brain.
MMRV is a simple way to protect your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
When will your child receive the MMRV vaccine:
If your child is born after January 1, 2025, you will receive:
- First MMRV dose at 12 months of age
- Second MMRV dose at 18 months
If your child was born between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, he or she should receive one dose of MMR already at 12 months of age, after which he or she will be given:
- First MMRV dose at 18 months
- 2nd dose of MMRV at 3 years and 4 months
These children will receive three doses of vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. There is no concern about this booster dose, and children this age can receive two doses of chickenpox vaccine to help prevent chickenpox.
If your child was born between September 1, 2022 and June 30, 2024, he or she should receive one dose of MMR already at 12 months of age, after which he or she will be given:
- One dose of MMRV every 3 years and 4 months (instead of a second MMR dose)
These children are given one dose of chickenpox vaccine, which provides very effective protection against serious disease.
Are there supplementary programs for older children?
Children born between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2022 will be given one MMRV booster dose if they have not yet had chickenpox or been vaccinated. This will be available between November 2026 and March 2028.
You don’t have to worry about checking your child’s medical history. When you are contacted about the follow-up program, you will be able to tell the health care team whether your child has already had chickenpox or has received two doses of chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. There is no safety concern if a child is given MMRV vaccine after receiving chickenpox or other chickenpox vaccines. If you cannot remember or are not sure whether your child has already had chickenpox, it is recommended that you get the vaccine if you are eligible.
Children born on or before December 31, 2019 will not be offered the MMRV vaccine as part of routine programs or supplementary offers. They should have already received two doses of MMR vaccine at 12 months and at 3 years and 4 months of age. Most children this age will have already had chickenpox. These children should receive a booster dose of MMR vaccine if they have not already received the second dose.
| Child’s date of birth | 12 month commitment | 18 month commitment | 3 years and 4 months term |
| Born after January 1, 2025 | First dose of MMRV | MMRV 2nd vaccination | – |
| Born between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 | Children should already have received one dose of MMR. | First dose of MMRV | MMRV 2nd vaccination |
| Born between September 1, 2022 and June 30, 2024 | Children should already have received one dose of MMR. | – | 1 dose of MMRV |
What should I do if my child already has chickenpox?
There is no safety concern for your child to receive the MMRV vaccine, even if he or she has already had chickenpox. This will protect you from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Are there any side effects to the MMRV vaccine?
Vaccines provided by the NHS are thoroughly tested to assess how safe and effective they are. All medications can cause side effects, but vaccines are the safest. Common side effects usually do not last long and are mild, including arm pain, fever, and rash. Side effects are less common after the second dose compared to the first.
If you have any questions or concerns about side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or health visitor.
When will my child receive the MMRV vaccine?
You will usually be contacted by your GP when it is time for your child to have routine immunizations, such as MMRV. This can be done via letter, text, phone call or email.
If you know your child needs to be vaccinated but have not been contacted, contact your GP to make an appointment.
Do the effects of the chickenpox vaccine last a lifetime?
MMRV is a simple way to protect your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Since the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988, cases of measles, mumps and rubella have all fallen to extremely low levels. MMRV provides the same protection as MMR but adds protection against chickenpox. In countries where children have already been vaccinated against chickenpox, cases of chickenpox have also fallen sharply. Studies to date have shown that the protection from two doses of vaccine does not decrease over time.
