MMRV Chickenpox Vaccine: NHS Schedule and Catch-Up

The MMRV vaccine is the NHS jab that now protects children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in a single injection, and it replaced the MMR vaccine in the routine schedule on 1 January 2026. Which age you get it, and how many doses your child needs, depends on their date of birth. There is also a catch-up offer opening on 1 November 2026 for older children who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine.

This guide follows the NHS MMRV vaccine advice and the NHS vaccination schedule, so you can find your child's birth-date group, see what to expect afterwards, and know who should not have it.

What is the MMRV vaccine?

MMRV stands for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, the clinical name for chickenpox. The NHS says it is given in place of the MMR vaccine, so children do not need a separate chickenpox jab. Chickenpox usually clears up within one to two weeks, but the NHS notes it can be serious for newborn babies, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, which is part of why protecting children matters.

The NHS says two doses give around 99% protection against measles and rubella, around 97% against chickenpox and around 88% against mumps. Protection against measles, mumps and rubella starts within about two weeks of a dose, and against chickenpox within about three weeks.

When is the MMRV vaccine given? Dose schedule by birth date

The NHS schedule changed in stages, so the right appointment depends on when your child was born. This table follows the NHS MMRV page.

Date of birth	First dose	Second dose
On or after 1 January 2025	12 months	18 months
1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024	18 months	3 years 4 months
1 September 2022 to 30 June 2024	3 years 4 months	Not needed (single dose)
1 January 2020 to 31 August 2022	Catch-up offer, 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2028 (for children who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine)	Not needed (single dose)

Your child's red book (Personal Child Health Record) and your GP surgery should show what is due. If you are unsure, the NHS says to check with your GP practice. For the rest of the first-year jabs, see our UK vaccination schedule for the first year.

Can my baby have it earlier than 12 months?

The NHS says babies aged 6 to 11 months can be offered an early dose if they are at risk of measles, for example when travelling abroad, after exposure to measles, or during an outbreak. Ask your GP or health visitor if this applies to you. The NHS notes that this is an extra measure, and children still follow the routine schedule afterwards.

What are the side effects of the MMRV vaccine?

The NHS says side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Typical reactions include:

• a sore or red arm or leg where the injection went in, lasting two or three days
• a rash and fever around 6 to 10 days after the jab
• facial swelling or joint aching two to three weeks later
• a mild, spotty chickenpox-like rash three to four weeks later; the NHS advises covering it with clothing because it can contain vaccine virus that could infect others

If your child gets a fever, follow the NHS advice on high temperatures. Our guide to baby fever and when to get help covers the thresholds by age, and giving Calpol to babies covers the paracetamol rules. Keep a small baby first aid kit stocked with an in-date thermometer and children's paracetamol before the appointment day.

Who should not have the MMRV vaccine?

The NHS says the vaccine should not be given to children with a severely weakened immune system, whether from a medical condition or from immunosuppressive medicines. It also should not be given to anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to an ingredient, including gelatine or neomycin. If your child has a health condition and you are unsure, speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor before the appointment; they can advise on whether a different plan is needed.

Do we still need to worry about chickenpox if our child is vaccinated?

Vaccination lowers the risk considerably, but protection is not complete after a single dose, which is why two doses are given to younger children. If your child does get chickenpox, the NHS says:

• you can spread it from 2 days before the spots appear until they have all formed scabs, usually about 5 days after they appeared
• children should stay off nursery or school until every spot has scabbed over
• paracetamol can ease discomfort, but do not use ibuprofen unless a doctor tells you to, as it may cause serious skin infections
• never give aspirin to children under 16
• contact NHS 111 if spots look infected (red, hot or painful), if your child seems dehydrated, or has unusual breathlessness

Chickenpox around a newborn or a pregnant woman deserves particular care. The NHS lists both as higher-risk groups, so speak to a GP or midwife promptly if they have been in contact with someone who has it.

Why did the NHS switch from MMR to MMRV?

The change means children are protected against chickenpox as part of the appointments they already attend, rather than needing an extra jab or relying on catching the infection. For families, the practical effect is simple: there is no separate chickenpox appointment to book. Your GP surgery or local NHS service will normally invite you, and the NHS says to contact your GP practice if you think your child has missed a dose. Missed doses can generally still be caught up, so do not wait for the next scheduled appointment if you realise one was skipped.

If your child already had chickenpox

The NHS catch-up offer is aimed at children who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine. If your child has definitely had chickenpox, ask your GP practice whether they still need a dose for protection against measles, mumps and rubella, because those diseases are covered by the same vaccine. Keep a note of when your child had chickenpox to share at the appointment.

Where to go for more help

Your health visitor, practice nurse or GP can answer questions about timing, health conditions and side effects. In an emergency, such as breathing difficulty or a suspected severe allergic reaction after any vaccination, the NHS says to call 999.

A quick preparation checklist for the appointment

• Check your child's date of birth against the table above and confirm the due date with your GP surgery.
• Bring the red book so the dose can be recorded.
• Dress your child in a top with easy access to the upper arm or thigh.
• Plan a quiet day afterwards in case of a low-grade fever.
• Tell the nurse about any allergies or immune conditions beforehand.

For everything else your baby needs in the first year, browse our baby first aid and health section.