Easy read guide to the MMRV vaccination (plain text)
Published 29 July 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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What is measles?
Measles is caused by a virus which can make your child feel poorly.
Measles is spread by coughs and sneezes.
Measles can make your child feel hot.
Measles can also give your child a red rash.
Measles can give your child sore eyes.
Measles can make some people very poorly. If your child gets very poorly your child might get:
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a chest infection
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fits (some people call these seizures)
What is mumps?
Mumps is caused by a virus and can make your child feel poorly.
Mumps is spread by coughs and sneezes.
Mumps can make your child’s head hurt and make your child feel hot.
Mumps can make your child’s face become swollen (this means your child’s face gets bigger).
For some people mumps can make it difficult for your child to hear things.
What is rubella?
Rubella is also caused by a virus and it can make your child feel poorly.
Rubella can:
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make your child feel hot
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make your child’s arms hurt
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make your child’s legs hurt
If you are pregnant, rubella can make your baby very poorly.
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by a virus and can make your child feel poorly.
Chickenpox can make your child feel very hot.
Chickenpox can cause an itchy and spotty rash.
Chickenpox can make some people very poorly. If your child gets very poorly your child might get:
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a chest infection
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fits (some people call these seizures)
Chickenpox can make people ill again when they are older. This is called shingles.
Who can get the MMRV vaccine?
Children aged 12 months.
Children aged 18 months.
If your child has missed their MMRV vaccine at 12 or 18 months they can have it when they are 3 years and 4 months old.
Who can’t get the MMRV vaccine?
MMRV vaccine is for people born after 1 January 2020.
If your child was born before 1 January 2020, they cannot have MMRV.
If your child was born before 1 January 2020, they can have MMR vaccine instead.
The MMRV vaccine
This vaccine is called MMRV. It will protect your child against 4 viruses. These viruses are called measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Your child can get the MMRV vaccine from your GP practice.
When your child goes for their MMRV vaccine, a nurse or doctor will put the vaccine in the top of your child’s arm.
It is important your child gets both of their MMRV vaccines. They are free and will help stop your child getting measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Some people think this vaccine causes autism but it does not.
Two types of MMRV vaccine
There are two types of MMRV vaccine.
One has gelatine, one does not.
You can ask your GP for the MMRV vaccine that does not have any gelatine in it.
Gelatine comes from the bodies of pigs.
Some people want a vaccine that does not have gelatine in because of their religion.
Check if your child has had these vaccines
You can check with your child’s doctor, your child’s red book or your health visitor to see if your child has had all their vaccines.
Some things your child might feel after their vaccines
Your child may have some pain and redness where they had their injection.
Your child may get a small rash and high temperature.
Your child may get pain in their arms or legs.
If your child feels unwell, they should rest and you should give them infant liquid paracetamol. Check with someone if you are not sure and always make sure you follow the information on the bottle.
Your child should feel better soon after.
Fits (febrile convulsions)
Flu, chickenpox or measles may cause your child to have a fit (some people call these seizures). These are called febrile convulsions.
They can happen after the MMRV vaccine.
But they do not happen often.
This is more likely to happen after a measles infection than after the vaccine.
If your child has a fit you should call 999 or take them to your Emergency Department.
More information
If you have any questions about your child’s health but it is not an emergency, you can ring 111 or speak to your child’s doctor. You can also find support on NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk.
If you have any other symptoms after having the vaccine you can tell us about this on the MHRA Yellow Card website at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk This is not in easy read and you may need some help to do this.
Being up to date with all of your and your child’s routine vaccines, helps
to give them the best protection.