Protection against chickenpox as part of changes to childhood vaccination schedule

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended changes to the childhood vaccination schedule based on latest scientific evidence to support high levels of protection for children. Consultant in Public Health from our Vaccination and Immunisation Division, Dr Daniel Chandler, outlines the changes to the schedule in our latest blog.

As outlined in our recently published 10-year strategy, we’re working to achieve a reduction in harms from infectious diseases by 2035. One of the ways we’re doing this is working with local health boards and other partners to give children in Scotland even better protection against diseases by implementing the JCVI’s recommended changes to the childhood vaccination schedule.

The changes that are now in effect include:

• bringing forward the MenB vaccine to provide earlier protection against meningococcal disease
• the addition of varicella to the existing MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to protect against chickenpox
• a new 18-month vaccination appointment which offers a fourth dose of the six-in-one vaccine that helps to provide longer term protection against haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and replaces the Hib/MenC vaccine previously given at 12 months, which has been discontinued

The measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine was introduced as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026 across the UK.

Why it’s important to protect your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox

These are serious diseases that can be life-threatening. They are all very infectious and can cause serious health complications.

• Chickenpox is most common in young children under the age of 10. It’s caused by the varicella virus. While most cases of chickenpox in children are relatively mild, many children are unwell for several days and have to miss school or nursery as a result. In some cases, chickenpox can be more severe and can lead to hospitalisations from serious secondary infections or other complications.
• Measles, mumps and rubella are all viral infections which are spread by coughs and sneezes. Measles is unpleasant and can sometimes have serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Complications of mumps can include permanent deafness, viral meningitis, and encephalitis. Rubella is rare and usually mild, but it can cause a miscarriage or affect the unborn baby if caught during pregnancy.

The UK recently lost its ‘measles elimination’ status and this underlines the importance of maintaining high childhood vaccination uptake. Scotland reported 28 cases of measles in 2025. While this is a relatively low number, it’s the highest we’ve seen in the last six years.

When children are vaccinated, it helps to protect the health of the whole community. When enough people are vaccinated, it’s more difficult for serious diseases to spread to those who are not vaccinated.

The changes explained

When your child will be offered the new MMRV vaccine depends on their date of birth.
If your child was born on or after 1 January 2025, they’ll be offered the MMRV vaccine at both:

• 12 to 13 months
• 18 months

If your child was born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, they’ll be offered the MMRV vaccine at both:

• 18 months
• 3 years 4 months

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024, they’ll be offered a dose of the MMRV vaccine at 3 years 4 months.

Children older than 3 years 4 months who have haven't already had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it can be offered a single catch-up dose of MMRV up to the age of 6 years.

Children over 6 are likely to have already had chickenpox, making them immune to the varicella virus. They are still eligible for up to two doses of MMR vaccine if they have not already received it when younger.

About the MMRV vaccine

The MMRV vaccine has been safely used for over a decade and is already part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in several countries, including Canada, Australia and Germany.
MMRV is a safe, simple and effective way to protect your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Following the introduction of measles vaccine in 1968 and the subsequent introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988, the number of cases of measles in Scotland has decreased dramatically.

 

Like all medicines, the MMRV vaccine can cause side effects. Most are mild and resolve after a short time. This is normal but not everyone gets them. There are no safety concerns in receiving the MMRV vaccine for children who have already had chickenpox.

When/how will my child be offered the vaccine?

Your local NHS immunisation team will send you a letter about your child’s vaccination appointment.

Read more about your child’s MMRV vaccine appointment

The childhood immunisation postcard outlines the schedule changes below:

Additional links and info: 

• More about the MMRV vaccine on NHS Inform
• MMRV vaccine information is available in multiple languages on NHS Inform
• Read more about the different vaccines your child will be offered on NHS Inform
• Read Together we can: our 10-year strategy to 2035