Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule - Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule for health professionals

The JCVI discussed options for necessary changes to the childhood immunisation schedule. They have made the following recommendations to be implemented from 1 January 2026.

New 18-month appointment 

• From 1 January 2026 a new vaccination appointment is added to the childhood immunisation schedule in Wales. The new appointment is at 18 months.

• At this 18-month appointment, babies get the MMRV vaccine and an additional dose of Hib-containing multivalent vaccine DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1).

Introduction of a routine NHS varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme

Varicella vaccination is being introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Wales from 1 January 2026 using the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. Children due their first or second MMR vaccine from 1 January 2026 will be offered the combined MMRV vaccine instead of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Routine vaccinations:

• The first dose of MMRV is given to babies at 12 months
• The second dose of MMRV is given at 18 months (see ‘18-month appointment’ below).

There is no ‘varicella-only’ vaccine offered in the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Wales.

Varicella selective catch-up programme

• There will also be a selective catch-up programme with MMRV for older children without a history of chickenpox or existing varicella vaccination, to help accelerate control and to further reduce transmission in the population.

• The one-dose MMRV selective catch-up programme will be delivered between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2028.

For more information about eligibility, please refer to the Which vaccines will be given, and when? section of this webpage. Use the eligibility tools to confirm timing and eligibility for individual patients.

Children with incomplete immunisation records should be assessed and managed using the UKHSA uncertain or incomplete immunisation algorithm, which is being updated with these changes.

Reason for the changes

Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Varicella infection is characterised by the presence of an itchy, spotty rash. Most varicella cases in children are relatively mild and the illness resolves without medical intervention. However, some children can develop complications, which can result in hospitalisation and very rarely may result in death.

Hospitalisations caused by varicella are often underreported due to coding errors in routine data. Many admissions result from complications from varicella, such as: cellulitis, invasive group A streptococcal infections, or childhood stroke, which may not be linked back to varicella in hospital records. There may also be other complications related to varicella that are not yet fully understood or documented.

The aim of introducing the MMRV vaccine to the childhood the programme is to reduce the incidence of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella infections and complications. Not only to reduce disease incidence, but eliminate measles and rubella, and potentially varicella.

You can find more information about these changes at:

• JCVI statement on a childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme
• MMRV and MMR vaccines – information for health professionals

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine 

The MMR vaccine, which helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella, is no longer available for the NHS routine childhood programme from 1 January 2026. It will be available for uses outside of the routine childhood programme, for example older individuals who have not received two-doses of MMR and are not eligible for varicella).

Hib-containing multivalent vaccine DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) 

The additional dose of 6-in-1 at the 18-month appointment is required to replace the Hib, which was previously given with the Menitorix© (Hib/MenC) vaccine at 12 months. This will help provide longer term protection against Hib infection.

The additional 6-in-1 vaccination visit for babies at 18 months old affects the selective neonatal HepB programme. You can find information about changes to the selective neonatal HepB vaccination programme.

Group C meningococcal vaccine 

• Due to the success of the adolescent MenACWY programme in controlling meningococcal C disease across the population, a dose of meningococcal C containing vaccine (MenC) is no longer recommended at 12 months.
• However, it is important to:
• maintain high uptake of MenACWY*,
• have good surveillance of meningococcal infection, and
• monitor the vaccination programme’s impact and the anticipated decline in disease.

* the MenACWY vaccine is routinely given to teenagers aged 13 and 14 (School year 9). Additional MenACWY vaccinations are given to those with underlying medical conditions.  

Find out more about eligibility for the MenACWY vaccine. 

For more details on these changes, please see the frequently asked questions below, and on our SharePoint FAQs page (access for NHS healthcare staff).

Or refer to Policy, letters and Welsh Government on SharePoint (access for NHS healthcare staff).

See ‘Resources for healthcare professionals’ above for detailed eligibility tools.

From 1 January 2026, a new routine appointment at 18 months is scheduled for those born on or after 1 July 2024. During this appointment, an additional dose of the DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) and the second MMRV dose should be given.

An additional dose of a Hib-containing multivalent vaccine (the hexavalent DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine which is given in infancy) should be administered at age 18 months to replace the Hib component of the Hib/MenC vaccine which was given at 12 months. This requires the introduction of a new appointment at 18 months of age.

The new 18-month appointment provides an opportunity for the second dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine to given. Vaccination earlier in childhood is intended to boost immunity sooner and reduce outbreaks by increasing the number of children vaccinated before entering nursery or early education setting.

Reference sources:

1.  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) statement on changes to the childhood immunisation schedule

2. JCVI statement on a childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme