Changes to childhood immunisations

From 1st January 2026 childhood immunisations have changed.

The MMRV vaccine is replacing the previous MMR vaccine which includes varicella(chickenpox).

This will be offered to children at 12 months and agains at 18months. 

If your child was born on or after 1 January 2025 they will be offered:

  • their first dose of MMRV at 12 months old
  • their second dose of MMRV at 18 months old

If your child was born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 they should have already had one dose of MMR at 12 months and they will then be offered:

  • their first dose of MMRV at 18 months
  • a second dose of MMRV at 3 years and 4 months

These children will receive 3 doses of a vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. There are no concerns with this additional dose, and it allows children in this age group to receive 2 doses of a vaccine that protects against chickenpox, helping to ensure they have good protection

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024 they should have already had 1 dose of MMR at 12 months and they will then be offered:

  • one dose of MMRV at 3 years and 4 months (instead of their second dose of MMR)

These children will be offered 1 dose of a vaccine that protects against chickenpox, which provides very good protection against severe disease.

More information can be found at this link, including for older children: What is the MMRV vaccine and is my child eligible?  – UK Health Security Agency

Other changes to the childhood vaccination schedule can be found here: Changes to the childhood vaccination schedule from January 2026 – UK Health Security Agency

Attachment

MMRV vaccination eligibility by date of birth

PDF, 99.0 KB

Published on 5 January 2026