Chickenpox vaccination to be offered to children across Warwickshire
Children across Warwickshire are now set to be offered the new chicken pox vaccination.
As of this month (January), the childhood immunisation schedule has been updated so that the MMRV vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella, now includes protection against chickenpox.
It will be offered as a combined vaccine, which means fewer doses and fewer appointments.
The vaccination, which also has a Porcine gelatine free alternative, is given in two doses, as follows:
- First dose – at 12 months, alongside other routine vaccinations
- Second dose – at 18 months, earlier than previous vaccination schedule for the second MMR dose
If children haven’t had the two doses above, a catch-up vaccination can be administered.
- Catch up programme – available between November 2026 and March 2028 – for children aged three years and four months up to six years, who have not had chickenpox or a previous dose of the varicella dose.
Shade Agboola, director of public health at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Please do come forward for the MMRV to help safeguard your child.
"The MMRV vaccination offers protection from chickenpox and the complications that come with the virus, which can cause skin infections, pneumonia and brain inflammation.
"Whilst this is the first time for the UK to have a combined vaccination – the chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.”
Parents will be contacted via GP surgeries.
For more information go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-chickenpox-vaccination-offered-for-first-time-to-children