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Vaccine update: issue 367, December 2025, Childhood schedule changes special

Published 24 December 2025

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccine-update-issue-367-december-2025-childhood-schedule-changes-special/vaccine-update-issue-367-december-2025-childhood-schedule-changes-special

We are very proud about the introduction of a varicella vaccination into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme from 1 January 2026 using a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine, following the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). From 1 January 2026 all children born on or after 1 July 2024, will be offered a combined MMRV vaccine instead of MMR.

You can read the full letter here: Introduction of a routine varicella (MMRV) vaccination programme.

Key changes

Routine schedule

Children will receive 2 MMRV doses at:

  • 12 months
  • 18 months

The second MMR dose moves from 3 years 4 months to 18 months for children born on or after 1 July 2024.

Catch-up programme:

A single-dose selective catch-up will run November 2026 to March 2028 for children aged 3 years 4 months to under 6 years (born 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2022) without prior chickenpox or 2 varicella doses.

There will also be a selective MMRV catch-up programme for older children to help accelerate control and to further reduce transmission in the population. Children will be invited and encouraged to attend if they have not yet had chickenpox vaccine or disease.

This update aims to protect children earlier and strengthen community immunity. Please share this Vaccine update with all your colleagues and promote the 18 month appointment and MMRV vaccination in your practice and community.

For information on the first phase of the childhood schedule changes, see Vaccine Update: issue 359.

The routine programme will start on 1 January 2026 as outlined in Table 1.

Table 1. MMRV vaccination eligibility by date of birth

Date of birth Age on 31 December 2025 New programme from 1 January 2026 Child’s full schedule for MMR/MMRV
01/01/2025 or later Under 1 year Two doses of MMRV at 12 months and 18 months 12 months – MMRV
18 months – MMRV
01/07/2024 to 31/12/2024 1 year to under 18 months Two doses of MMRV at 18 months and 3 years 4 months 12 months – MMR
18 months – MMRV
3 years 4 months – MMRV
01/09/2022 to 30/06/2024 18 months to under 3 years 4 months One dose of MMRV at 3 years 4 months 12 months – MMR
3 years 4 months – MMRV
01/01/2020 to 31/08/2022 3 years 4 months to under 6 years Selective catch-up from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2028 for those who have not yet had chickenpox infection or 2 doses of varicella vaccination [note 1] 12 months – MMR
3 years 4 months – MMR
MMRV catch-up offer
31/12/2019 or before 6 years and older Not eligible 12 months – MMR
3 years 4 months – MMR

Note 1: There is no requirement for practices to check the history for those who respond to the offer.

Any child with an incomplete immunisation history for their age should be managed according to the UKHSA uncertain or incomplete immunisation algorithm.

Green book updates

The following chapters have been updated to include the MMRV vaccination:

The routine and complete immunisation schedules, algorithm for uncertain vaccine status and visual guide to vaccines

All of these documents have been updated for 1 January 2026. Be sure to use these online versions and recycle any out of date printed copies.

Updated healthcare practitioner guidance

These healthcare practitioner guidance documents cover the eligibility, administration and safety, and answer frequently asked questions about the vaccination programmes.

Childhood immunisation eligibility calculator

Download the calculator to your computer and use it to calculate when a baby or child is due which vaccines. Enter their date of birth in the calculator worksheet, and it will show what they require from 1 January 2026.

NB: This calculator assumes vaccinations are administered in line with the routine UK childhood immunisation schedule. It is intended to support clinicians but does not replace clinical judgement or clinical decision making. If any vaccinations are missed, delayed or incomplete, do not use this calculator and instead refer to the Uncertain immunisation status algorithm.

To calculate when a baby or child is due which vaccines, enter their date of birth in the calculator worksheet.

Vaccination schedule for children born to a month with hepatitis B is also included on a separate tab.

With thanks to Mark Frost, Immunisation Manager, SW Immunisation and Screening team for developing and revising this tool.

MMR and MMRV patient group directives (PGDs)

The patient group directives (PGDs) to support Phase 2 of the changes to the childhood immunisation programme, starting 1 January 2026, have now been approved:

All new PGD templates require organisational authorisation, in line with HMR2012, before they are a legally valid PGD. It is therefore advised that UKHSA PGD templates are organisationally authorised, in accordance with local procedures before sharing with providers or end users. Otherwise, feel free to cascade the attachments amongst your relevant clinical networks.

Updated resources for the MMRV programme

A guide to the MMRV vaccine

This leaflet is for parents of children aged 12 and 18 months of age who are eligible for the MMRV vaccine.

It must be given to parents with their invitation to attend for their appointments.

View and download at MMRV vaccination: a guide for parents and carers or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 9791EN002.

MMRV vaccine poster

This poster is suitable for all community, health, GP and nursery or pre-school settings.

It is important to normalise vaccines and the age for appointments in traffic areas where young families visit such as childcare providers, nurseries and community centres. They can also have a role in high streets, places of worship and charity providers and foodbanks.

View and download at MMRV vaccination: a guide for parents and carers or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 9797EN001.

A guide to vaccination at 18 months – with immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026

View and download at Vaccinations for children aged 18 months or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 1265469BEN001.

18 month vaccination poster

This poster is suitable for all community, health, GP and nursery or pre-school settings.

It is important to normalise vaccines and the age for appointments in traffic areas where young families visit such as childcare providers, nurseries and community centres. They can also have a role in high streets, places of worship and charity providers and foodbanks.

View and download at Vaccinations for children aged 18 months or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: C25CC182EN.

Vaccines and porcine gelatine

The issue of some vaccines that contain ingredients derived from pigs (in this case gelatine – known as ‘porcine’ gelatine) has concerned some faith groups. This leaflet provides information about vaccines that contain porcine gelatine and any alternatives that are available.

This leaflet has been updated to include the MMRV vaccines, Priorix Tetra® and ProQuad®.

View and download at Vaccines and porcine gelatine or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 1265468AEN001.

MMRV and febrile convulsions

This is a download only guide to MMRV and febrile convulsions (FC). It explains what febrile convulsions are and how common they are in young children who have high temperatures (fever) from infections such as measles, chickenpox and flu. It shows the far less common risk of FC after the MMR or MMRV vaccination. It can be shared with parents and carers who have concerns.

View and download at MMRV and febrile convulsions.

A guide to vaccination for pre-school aged children

This leaflet has been updated to include the schedule from 1 January 2026 and covers the 3 year 4 month appointment where children are offered their pre-school booster of dTaP/IPV and their second dose of measles containing vaccine if born before 1 July 2024.

View and download at Pre-school vaccinations: guide to vaccinations from 2 to 5 years or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 1386405CEN001.

A guide to immunisations for premature babies

View and download at Childhood immunisation: quick guide for parents of premature babies or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: PC25EN001.

MMR for all leaflet

This guide has been revised. It should be given to parents of under vaccinated children of any age who have missed their doses. It is also suitable for young people, freshers who are about to start university and adults who are zero vaccinated.

View and download at MMR for all: general leaflet or order from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 2201EN001.

MMRV promotional email banners

Promoting the MMRV vaccination with your emails? A set of email signatures is available to download and add to your emails.

View and download from Find Public Health Resources, product code: 9799EN001.

Personal child health record (PCHR) or ‘red book’

The previous version of the PCHR Version 5 can be downloaded from Health for all children. Version 6 will have all the new MMRV pages in and will be available to order in January.

How to use the new red book inserts for the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule 2026

  • page 18: Routine childhood schedule. This is an updated page. Only give this page to babies born from 1 July 2024 and remove old version
  • page 19a: What to expect after vaccination with MMRV vaccine
  • page 21: Revised page for immunisations at 12 months
  • page 21a: Immunisations at 18 months. This is a revised page for all babies born from 1 July 2024. For children who received MMR at 12 months, this will be their first MMRV dose. They should be offered a second dose at 3 years 4 months
  • page 22: Pre-school immunisations – 3 years 4 months. This is an updated page for babies born from 1 July 2024. Remove the existing page
  • minimum contacts checklist: this is a list of the minimum contacts that are provided for your child during their pre-school and school aged years. This may vary according to a child’s needs and to local policy.

Each set of 6 inserts comes with an instruction sheet.

If vaccines are already recorded on a page, even if the schedule has now changed for that child, keep that page in the red book as a record of previous vaccines given.

You can place orders for the sets of inserts or red books by visiting: Health for all children or by emailing immpchr@harlowsolutions.co.uk

This latest full updated red book will be available to order in January 2026. All orders will be fulfilled in chronological order from the beginning of January.

Thank you to everyone who has already placed their orders. And thank you to Harlow Printing Ltd and Andrew Petit who have been printing this stock to get it ready for dispatch in the coming weeks.

Vaccine supply

Attention all ImmForm customers: Christmas and New Year holiday deliveries

Due to Christmas and New Year holidays, there will be no deliveries or order processing by Movianto on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December 2025, nor on Thursday 1 January 2026. See the table below for your revised order and delivery days, and the additional information for offshore customers.

All customers should prepare for this break in deliveries and order accordingly. Ensure you have enough room in your fridge for any additional vaccine that you order in advance of this holiday period, bearing in mind the recommendation that only 2 to 4 weeks of vaccine stock should be held locally.

No emergency or out-of-schedule deliveries can be arranged for ImmForm customers who fail to place their orders by the cut-off date and time.

Delivery date Order cut-off date Order cut-off time Notes / holidays
Wednesday 24 December 2025 Monday 22 December 2025 11:55 am  
Thursday 25 December 2025     No deliveries or order processing
Friday 26 December 2025     No deliveries or order processing
Monday 29 December 2025 Tuesday 23 December 2025 11:55 am  
Tuesday 30 December 2025 Wednesday 24 December 2025 11:55 am  
Wednesday 31 December 2025 Monday 29 December 2025 11:55 am  
Thursday 1 January 2026     No deliveries or order processing
Friday 2 January 2026 Tuesday 30 December 2025 11:55 am No deliveries to Scotland customers
Monday 5 January 2026 Wednesday 31 December 2025 11:55 am  
Tuesday 6 January 2026 Friday 2 January 2026 11:55 am  
Wednesday 7 January 2026 Monday 5 January 2026 11:55 am  
Thursday 8 January 2026 Tuesday 6 January 2026 11:55 am  
Friday 9 January 2026 Wednesday 7 January 2026 11:55 am  

Offshore customers:

  • Isle of Wight and Isle of Man – see the table above for your revised order and delivery days
  • Jersey, Guernsey, Shetland, Stornoway and Orkney – no deliveries will be made after Tuesday 23 December 2025 until Wednesday 7 January 2026.

See the table above for our revised order and delivery days.

COVID-19 and mpox vaccine offshore customers:

  • Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Scottish islands – the final orders before Christmas will be handed to the courier on Monday 22 December 2025 for the final mile delivery on Tuesday 23 December 2025; the first delivery after Christmas will be handed to the courier on Monday 29 December 2025 for the final mile delivery on Tuesday 30 December 2025

Introduction of a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine

From 1 January 2026, the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme will include a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. See more details about the introduction of MMRV vaccination.

From 1 January 2026, the current MMR vaccines (M‑M‑RvaxPro® and Priorix®) will continue to be available to order via ImmForm for administration outside of the routine childhood programme, for example, for vaccination of older individuals, that is, those born on or before 31 December 2019, who have not received 2 doses of MMR and are not eligible for MMRV.

ProQuad® and Priorix-Tetra® will be the vaccines used for the MMRV programme. ProQuad® and Priorix-Tetra® vaccines will be available for ImmForm customers in England and Wales to order from Monday 1 December 2025. ProQuad® vaccine should be ordered for all MMRV vaccinations, unless a patient requires a porcine gelatine-free MMRV vaccine. ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order ProQuad® vaccine with only a high-level ordering control in place to reduce the risk of ordering errors only. This is not intended to restrict activity.

In addition, ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order up to 10 porcine gelatine-free Priorix-Tetra® doses per account per week. Please note there are 10 Priorix-Tetra® doses in each vaccine pack ordered via ImmForm. Scottish customers should refer to local ordering guidance.

ProQuad® vaccine ordered via ImmForm will be supplied as a single-dose pack, containing one pre-filled syringe, one vial of solvent for reconstitution, one patient information leaflet (PIL), and 2 unattached non-safety needles. One needle should be used for reconstitution and a separate, new needle for injection.

See more details about ProQuad® vaccine

Priorix-Tetra® vaccine ordered via ImmForm will be supplied as a 10-dose pack, containing 10 single-dose vials (10 x 0.5 ml) of vaccine, 10 single-dose vials of diluent and one patient information leaflet (PIL). Each 10-dose pack of Priorix-Tetra® vaccine ordered via ImmForm will also be supplied with a pad of 10 additional PILs. Priorix-Tetra® vaccine supplied via ImmForm does not contain needles for administration.

Further details about Priorix-Tetra® vaccine can be found here: Priorix Tetra

Further guidance on the choice of needle size can be found in Immunisation procedures: the green book, chapter 4. Needles should be obtained locally.

To help with planning storage requirements:

  • the dimensions of each single-dose pack of ProQuad® vaccine are 150 x 47 x 28 mm (H x W x D) - the dimensions of each larger 10-dose pack of Priorix-Tetra® vaccine are 142 x 178 x 29 mm (H x W x D)

To minimise wastage due to fridge failures, please order no more than 2 to 4 weeks’ worth of stock. Further guidance can be found in the Green Book: Chapter 3.

Contact the helpdesk@immform.org.uk for ordering queries.

MMR vaccine ordering

M-M-RvaxPro® vaccine should be ordered for all MMR vaccinations, unless a patient requires a porcine gelatine-free MMR vaccine. ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order M-M-RvaxPro vaccine without restriction. In addition, ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order up to 10 porcine gelatine-free Priorix® vaccines per account per week. ImmForm customers in Scotland should refer to their local ordering restrictions. Both MMR vaccines may only be ordered for outbreak purposes when this is part of a national catch-up campaign.

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