Chickenpox vaccine for children (MMRV vaccine)
Chickenpox vaccine for children (MMRV vaccine)
Children are now offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella).
They are offered two doses of the vaccine when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Older children born on or after 1st January 2020 are also offered one or two doses of the vaccine.
The chickenpox vaccine helps prevent chickenpox. Although chickenpox is usually mild, it can be very serious for some people, including:
- Pregnant women
- Babies
- Those with a weakened immune system
- The chickenpox vaccine is recommended to help protect certain people who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox.
Who should have the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended if you're healthy and all the following apply:
- You're in regular or close contact with someone who's at risk of getting seriously ill if they get chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia or an adult having chemotherapy
- You're nine months old or over
- You've not had chickenpox before
- You've not had two doses of the MMRV or chickenpox vaccine before
- You're not eligible for the MMRV vaccine.
If you're a healthcare worker and are not immune to chickenpox, you may be recommended to have a chickenpox vaccine if your work involves close contact with patients. This includes:
- Doctors and nurses
- Ambulance staff
- GP surgery and hospital receptionists
- Hospital ward cleaners
- Catering staff
- Laboratory workers who are exposed to the chickenpox virus
- If you're not sure you've had chickenpox before, you may need a blood test to check.
Where to get the chickenpox vaccine
Contact your GP surgery if you think you or other members of your family need the chickenpox vaccine to protect you or someone you live with.
Speak to your employer about getting the chickenpox vaccine if you need it because of your job.
Who cannot have the chickenpox vaccine?
Most people can have the chickenpox vaccine if they need it. But, as it's a live vaccine (it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus), it's not recommended for some people.
People who should not have the chickenpox vaccine include:
- Those with a weakened immune system because of an illness like HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy
- Pregnant women
- Babies under nine months old
- People who've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine, including neomycin or gelatine
- People who've had an MMR vaccine in the previous four weeks, or are due to have it in the next four weeks
- If you've had the chickenpox vaccine, you should avoid getting pregnant for one month after having the last dose of the vaccine.