New vaccine to provide protection for children against chickenpox

Children are to be given new protection against Chickenpox with a new vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox or varicella (MMRV) being included in the NHS routine childhood vaccine schedule from 12 months old.

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 31 July 2024, with those born before this date getting their scheduled dose at their three years, four month scheduled appointment.

Children who were born between 1 January 2020 and 31 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 six years, it is likely they have already had chickenpox and remain eligible for their MMR vaccine. All these changes are taking place in line with clinical advice on the best way to protect children and babies from infectious diseases.

For most children chickenpox can be mild, but for others it can be serious and lead to complications and hospitalisation, which the NHS hope to address with the introduction of the MMRV vaccine for children.

Recent research by the London School of Economics  and Political Science suggest chickenpox in childhood costs UK families and the wider economy around £24 million a year in lost income and productivity.

Parents are advised to continue to book your child’s vaccination appointments when they receive their invitation from their child’s GP practice. Further information is available from local GP practices.

More information about the Vaccinations and Immunisation service can be found on the specialist webpage by clicking this link.