New MMRV vaccine to launch in Lincolnshire adding protection against chicken pox

MMRV is a combined vaccine that protects against four diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chicken pox) – and replaces the older MMR vaccine, adding protection against chickenpox.

For most children chicken pox is mild but for some it can lead to serious complications, explains NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board. It is a highly contagious illness causing an itchy rash of fluid-filled blisters, usually in children although it can also affect adults, including pregnant women and people with reduced immunity.

Already in use in other countries including Canada and Germany, the MMRV vaccine offers protection against four diseases compared to the MMR’s three diseases. From January 1, 2026, all children will be offered the MMRV vaccine for their routine childhood schedule.

“The MMRV vaccine will be available as part of the childhood routine, two-dose vaccination schedule,” explains Steph Hart, Assistant Locality Lead for the Vaccination Programme at NHS Lincolnshire ICB. “This means children turning one year old from January 1 2026 will be offered two doses – one at 12 months and a second at 18 months.”

There will also be a single dose MMRV catch up programme for older children starting later in the year, which is about going further and more rapidly to reduce transmission of chickenpox in the population.

“Children aged over one year to under 18 months at December 31, 2025 will be offered two doses of MMRV – one at 18 months and a second at three years four months. Whilst children aged 18 months to under three years four months as of December 31, 2025 will be offered a single dose of MMRV at three years four months.

“Older children – those aged three years four months to under six years as of December 31, 2025 – will be able to have the MMRV vaccine during a catch-up programme due to be run between November 26, 2026 and March 31, 2028,” she said.

The change to the childhood immunisation schedule as a result of the introduction of the new MMRV vaccine is predicted to protect around half a million children each year against measles, mumps, rubella, and now chickenpox too.

“Bringing forward the second dose of the MMR part of the MMRV vaccine from three years four months to 18 months for children turning 18 months on or after January 1, 2026 will help improve vaccine uptake and provide earlier protection for children, which, from a measles point of view, is particularly important following the outbreaks of measles seen in the UK and Europe this year,” said Ms Hart.

“As far as chicken pox is concerned, having two doses of the MMRV vaccine will also mean long-lasting immunity for children and prevention of more serious outcomes and complications, as well as fewer days missed at nursery or school and less time parents need to take off work,” adds Steph.

Your child’s GP surgery will usually invite you for your child’s first dose of MMRV around their first birthday and for a second around 18 months. Older children who missed doses will be able to get them at their GP surgery or possibly at their school.