Around your child's first birthday (between 12 and 13 months) they have three injections: the MMRV vaccine, the pneumococcal booster and the MenB booster.
MMRV is new. It protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in one injection. Children born on or after 1 January 2025 have their first MMRV dose at this appointment. Older children follow a different timetable while the change is phased in - see the questions below.
From the official NHS schedule, last checked 16 September 2026. Reflects the schedule for a baby born in 2026. Children born earlier may follow slightly different dates during the 2024-2026 transition to the 4-dose 6-in-1, the 18-month appointment and MMRV (which now includes chickenpox) - your GP or Red Book has the exact plan.
Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in one injection. Chickenpox was added to the routine UK schedule in 2025. Measles is highly infectious and can be serious, so this vaccine matters for every child. A second dose follows at 18 months.
The pneumococcal booster given around the first birthday to lock in long-term protection.
The final MenB dose (a booster). The NHS advice to give preventive infant paracetamol is for the 8 and 12 week MenB doses only - after this one, use it only if your child gets a fever or seems uncomfortable.
Why it has to be on or after the first birthday
MMRV is a live vaccine and works best once a baby's own immune system has taken over from the protection passed on by their mother. That is why the routine dose is given after the first birthday rather than before.
Reactions can come later than you expect
This is the appointment where side effects can turn up days or weeks afterwards, which surprises many parents:
About 6 to 10 days after the jab, some children get a raised, blotchy rash like measles, feel unwell and have a high temperature. It usually lasts 2 to 3 days and is not infectious.
About 2 to 3 weeks after, some get swelling around the face and achy joints, like a very mild mumps or rubella. This is not infectious either.
About 3 to 4 weeks after, a few get a spotty rash near where the injection was given, like chickenpox. These spots can contain chickenpox virus, so keep them covered with clothes - as long as they are covered, your child can go to nursery as normal.
Paracetamol
The advice to give paracetamol in advance is for the baby MenB jabs at 8 and 12 weeks only. After the 1-year jabs, give it only if your child has a fever or seems uncomfortable.
What is normal afterwards
- A sore leg or arm and some swelling where the jabs were given.
- A high temperature or being grumpy for a day or two after the MenB and pneumococcal boosters.
- The delayed MMRV reactions described above.
When to get help
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
- has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the vaccinations
- has a seizure (fit)
- is unwell and you are worried about them
Call 999 if your child has difficulty breathing, is floppy or unresponsive, or has a fit for the first time.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your GP, practice nurse, health visitor or pharmacist can advise on your own child.
18 months: 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB), MMRV vaccine.
Enter your child's date of birth on our United Kingdom schedule page to see when each appointment is due, and add reminders to your phone calendar.
The NHS timetable depends on date of birth. Children born on or after 1 January 2025 have MMRV at 12 months and 18 months. Children born between 1 July and 31 December 2024 have MMRV at 18 months and 3 years 4 months. Children born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024 have a dose at 3 years 4 months. Your GP or red book will have your child's plan.
Protection against measles, mumps and rubella starts within 2 weeks, and against chickenpox within 3 weeks. Two doses give very high, long-lasting protection, which is why the second dose matters.
Yes. Even if the chickenpox-like spots appear later, your child can go to nursery as long as the spots are covered with clothes.
- United Kingdom schedule - NHS / UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- NHS - Vaccinations and when to have them
- NHS - MMRV vaccine
- NHS - MenB vaccine for children
- NHS - Pneumococcal vaccine
Checked against these NHS pages on 1 November 2026. How we research and check: our editorial policy.
Other United Kingdom appointments
8-week jabs · 12-week jabs · 16-week jabs · 18-month jabs · Pre-school booster