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The MMRV vaccine helps protect children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella). These are infections which spread very easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), pneumonia, and hearing loss.
From 1 January 2026, all children are being offered a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) as part of their childhood routine 2-dose vaccination schedule.
Dose 1 will be offered at one year of age and dose 2 will be brought forward from 3 years 4 months to a new 18-month appointment.
From 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2028 there will be a single dose selective MMRV catch-up programme for older children who have not yet had chickenpox infection or 2 doses of varicella vaccination.
How to get the MMRV vaccine
Your GP surgery will usually contact you about your child’s MMRV vaccinations. This will usually be by letter, text message, phone call or email.
You should contact your GP surgery if your child is due their MMRV vaccine but you’ve not been contacted, or your child has missed their MMRV vaccine, or if your child has a high temperature and is due to have the vaccine.
The MMRV vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh. It’s usually given at the same time as other routine vaccinations.
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Who cannot have the MMRV vaccine?
Most children can have the MMRV vaccine. But it’s not suitable for some children because it’s a live vaccine, which means it contains weakened versions of the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox viruses.
The MMRV vaccine is not given if your child has a severely weakened immune system, either because of a health condition or because they are taking medicines that suppress the immune system, or if your child has had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredients in the vaccine, including gelatine or neomycin.
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How well the MMRV vaccine works
Protection against measles, mumps and rubella starts within 2 weeks of having the MMRV vaccine. Protection against chickenpox starts within 3 weeks of having the vaccine.
After 2 doses around 99% of children will be protected against measles and rubella, around 97% of children will be protected against chickenpox, and around 88% of children will be protected against mumps. If your child gets mumps after being vaccinated, the symptoms will usually be much milder.
A guide for parents and carers
A handy guide to MMRV is now available to read and download in many languages including English, Somali, Arab, Urdu, Ukrainian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Bengali. It is also available in audio, British Sign Language, Braille and large print.