From January 2026 a new vaccine called MMRV will be offered to children in the UK. It protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in one jab.
This helps stop serious illness, hospital visits, and missed school days. It’s already used safely in countries like Canada, Germany and Australia.
Who can get it?
The number of doses and timings depends on when children were born and will be offered as part of your child’s vaccination schedule.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. All vaccines have to pass safety tests before use. The MMRV vaccine has been used safely for more than 10 years in other countries.
Like all vaccines, there can be mild side effects such as:
- a sore arm
- a fever
- a mild rash
These usually go away quickly. If you’re worried about reactions, speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor.
Keeping vaccinations up top date protects your child and other children within the community