The Government have provided these resources for practices to use in response to measles outbreaks, including the one which started in Enfield in early 2026 and has begun to affect surrounding boroughs.
- Government press release about the campaign to boost uptake of childhood immunisations.
- DHSC toolkit including background information and FAQs, key messages, suggested social media copy and suggested content for other channels.
- DHSC campaign resources, including imagery for digital channels and physical promotional materials (poster and postcard).
The Government is running an advertising campaign across video on demand, radio, out of home advertising and social channels will run until the end of March.
The MMRV protects against varicella (chickenpox) in addition to the routine MMR vaccine which was previously offered at 12 months and 3 years, 4 months. Older children without a history of chickenpox will be offered the MMRV vaccine as part of a catch-up programme later in the year.
UKHSA information is for professionals is available here and are summarised below, information for patients is here. UKHSA advice on to clinicians on parents declining the vaccine for their children was published in late January 2026.
Useful resources
- UKHSA information for professionals is available here including clinical information, vaccine ordering and storage and frequently asked questions.
- A guide for parents and carers regarding measles and the MMRV vaccine is available as a web page here and PDF here.
- A guide to the MMRV vaccine for parents is available in multiple languages.
- MMRV vaccination poster for practices.
- NHS MMRV vaccination communication toolkit including further resources for practices, suggested social media messaging and additional.
- The UKHSA has developed and published a PGD, with the relevant signatures required for the London region available on their website here.
In the case of parents declining the MMRV, UKHSA published advice in January 2026 advising that whilst MMRV is the recommended vaccine for eligible children in the routine childhood immunisation programme, healthcare professionals may use their clinical discretion and offer MMR vaccine under a Patient Specific Direction (PSD) where this is preferred.
If you have further queries please contact the London immunisations team directly at england.londonimms@nhs.net.
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 | 2 doses of MMRV at 12 and 18 months | 12 months: MMRV 18 months: MMRV |
| 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024 | 1 year to under 18 months | 2 doses of MMRV at 18 months and 3 years 4 months | 12 months: MMR (note 1) 18 months: MMRV 3 years 4 months: MMRV |
| 01/09/2022 to 30/06/2024 | 1 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 Nov 2026 to 31 Mar 2028 for those who have not yet had chickenpox infection or 2 doses of varicella vaccination (note 2) | 12 months: MMR dose 1 3 years 4 months: MMR dose 2 MMRV catch up offer |
| 31/12/2019 or before | 6 years old and older | Not eligible | 12 months: MMR dose 1 3 years 4 months: MMR dose 2 |
- Note 1: if a child has not yet received a dose of MMR vaccine that they should have received, for example if they turned 12 months of age in mid to late December 2025, MMRV should be given and the dose of MMRV at 3 years 4 months is not required.
- Note 2: there is no requirement for practices to check the history for those who respond to the offer.
The vaccines
There are currently two MMRV vaccines licensed for use as part of the routine immunisation programme: ProQuad® (MSD) (contains porcine gelatine) and Priorix-Tetra® (GSK). The vaccines are considered clinically equivalent and interchangeable. They are both live attenuated viruses.
The UKHSA has developed and published a PGD, with the relevant signatures required for the London region available on their website here.
Vaccine ordering
Vaccines for the national vaccination programmes in England should be ordered via the ImmForm website. Healthcare practitioners should refer to this website and Vaccine Update (the vaccination newsletter for healthcare practitioners) for current information on vaccine availability. To minimise wastage due to fridge failures or expiry, healthcare practitioners are reminded to order no more than 2 weeks’ worth of stock, rather than over-ordering or stockpiling vaccines. Vaccines should be ordered, stored and monitored as described in the Green Book Storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines chapter.
Practices should continue to order MMR vaccine as well as MMRV vaccine as this will be required for older children (born before 1 January 2020) and adults who require catch up vaccination.
Where a clinician has decided that it is clinically appropriate to vaccinate an individual who is not eligible for the national MMRV vaccination programme, GP practices would need to purchase the MMRV vaccine directly from the manufacturer and then reclaim the cost of the vaccine through their usual process.
Further details regarding vaccine storage, preparation and administration are available on the Government website. This includes FAQs on side effects and cautions, as well as information on catch up schedules for those behind on their routine immunisations.
Further queries: Please contact the London immunisations team directly at england.londonimms@nhs.net with any queries.