Your child's vaccine schedule

As of 1 January 2026, the NHS childhood vaccination schedule has changed, with the introduction of a routine varicella (MMRV) vaccination being offered to any child born on or after 1 January 2025, with their first dose being given at one year and a second dose given at 18 months.

A single MMRV catch-up dose will be offered to children born between 1 January 2020 and 21 August 2022, if they haven’t already had chickenpox or 2 doses of chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.  When your child will be offered the vaccine depends on their date of birth.  This will be offered between November 2026 and March 2028. Children born on or before 31 December 2019 won’t be offered the MMRV vaccine as part of the routine programme or catch-up.

The MMRV vaccine will replace the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and forms part of the childhood routine 2-dose vaccination schedule.

Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself - NHS

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Published on 22 June 2026