Vaccination information and guidance :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

This page provides general information about vaccines, including how they work, why they are offered, and where to find trusted guidance.

It is designed to help you understand vaccination in the UK.

Teenagers and first year university students are advised to have a vaccination to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly. Find out more on NHS Choices.

Childhood infections such as measles, whooping cough and meningitis can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and lifelong disabilities.

Meningitis and Septicaemia leaflet

Evidence shows that, while measles can be mild for some children, one in five will require a hospital visit. Infection can lead to complications, such as meningitis and sepsis, in one in fifteen children
While most young children recover from Meningitis B, around 1 in 20 die from the infection. Many of those who survive have a permanent disability, such as brain damage, epilepsy, hearing loss, or the loss of limbs (amputation).

Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. Measles is an unpleasant illness and sometimes can have serious complications.

From Autumn 2023 to Summer 2024, England experienced the biggest outbreak of measles since 2012, particularly affecting children under the age of 10 years. Since the peak last year cases have declined but we continue to see local outbreaks, particularly in London and the North West Regions.

What is the MMRV vaccine?

The MMRV vaccine will offer protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (clinically known as varicella). On 1 January 2026, the MMRV vaccine was introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK. When your child will be offered this vaccine depends on their date of birth.

The MMRV vaccine has been safely used for over a decade and is already part of the routine childhood vaccine schedule in several countries, including Canada, Australia and Germany.

What is measles?

Measles is caused by a virus that spreads very easily. Symptoms include high fever, rash, sore red eyes, cough and runny nose. Children can be off school for 10 days and 1 in 5 people with measles will be admitted to hospital.

Complications include chest infections, fits, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and brain damage. It is more severe in babies under one year old, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Around 1 in 5,000 people who catch measles die from the complications.

What is mumps?

Mumps is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache and painful, swollen glands in the face, neck and jaw.

Complications include hearing loss, meningitis, encephalitis, and painful swelling of the testicles and ovaries.

What is rubella?

Rubella is caused by a virus. In children it is usually mild and can cause a rash, swollen glands and a sore throat.

If pregnant women catch rubella it can affect their unborn baby, causing serious damage to their sight, hearing, heart and brain.

What is chickenpox (varicella)?

Chickenpox is a very infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is very common in young children and causes a fever and an itchy, spotty rash. These spots can be painful and appear all over the body.

Some children have serious complications including chest infection, fits, and encephalitis. It is more severe in adults, especially pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Later in life, the chickenpox virus can re-activate and cause a painful rash. This is called shingles. It is worse in older people and in people with weakened immune systems.

Why does my child need to be protected against chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that is very common in young children. It causes an itchy, spotty rash, and a fever. Most children with chickenpox will have a mild illness and recover after around a week. However, some children will have a more serious illness and need to be admitted to hospital. In rare cases, children can develop complications such as bacterial infections, brain and lung inflammation, and stroke. The vaccination will help prevent severe cases of chickenpox and the serious complications that can occur.

When will my child get the MMRV vaccine?

If your child was born on or after 1 January 2025 they will be offered:

their first dose of MMRV at 12 months old

their second dose of MMRV at 18 months old

If your child was born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, they should have already had one dose of MMR at 12 months. They will be offered:

their first dose of MMRV at 18 months

a second dose of MMRV at 3 years and 4 months

These children will receive 3 doses of a vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. There are no concerns with this additional dose, and it allows children in this age group to receive 2 doses of a vaccine that protects against chickenpox, helping to ensure they have good protection.

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024:

they should have already had their first dose of MMR at 12 months

they'll be offered one dose of MMRV at 3 years and 4 months (instead of their second MMR)

These children will be offered 1 dose of a vaccine that protects against chickenpox, which provides very good protection against severe disease.

Will there be a catch up programme for older children?

A one dose MMRV catch up will be offered to children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 (children aged under 6 years old on 31 December 2025). These children will be offered a catch-up MMRV vaccine between November 2026 and March 2028, if they haven't already had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.

You don't need to worry about checking your child's medical history. When you're contacted about the catch-up programme, you can let the healthcare team know if your child has already had chickenpox or 2 doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. There are no safety concerns if a child gets the MMRV vaccine after having chickenpox, so if you can't remember if your child has already had chickenpox, or if you are unsure, it is better that they get the vaccine, if they’re eligible.

Children aged 6 or over at the end of 2025 won't be offered the MMRV vaccine as part of the routine programme or catch-up offers. They should have already received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine at 12 months and 3 year and 4 months of age. They can still get the MMR vaccine if they haven't already had both doses. Most children in this age group will have already had chickenpox infection.

Why is the varicella (chickenpox) being combined with MMR?

The MMRV vaccine provides greater protection against all four diseases.

The MMRV vaccine has been shown to create long lasting protection against all four diseases.

Using a combined vaccine for both the first and second dose means fewer injections are needed in a single immunisation visit.

Previous attitudinal work has suggested that having fewer injections is preferred among parents, and a recent study among UK parents indicated that a combined varicella vaccine was preferred to separate vaccines.⁸

Countries that have introduced programmes have observed a significant impact on cases of varicella and resulting hospitalisations. In countries introducing a 2-dose schedule, younger cohorts not eligible for vaccination have also seen reduced incidence because of reduced community transmission.⁹

What if my child has already had chickenpox?

Even if your child has already had chickenpox, there are no safety concerns if a child gets the MMRV vaccine. This will protect them against measles, mumps and rubella, as well as chickenpox.

Are there any side effects from the MMRV vaccine?

Vaccines offered by the NHS are thoroughly tested to assess how safe and effective they are. All medicines can cause side effects, but vaccines are among the safest. Common side effects do not usually last long and are mild, such as a sore arm, fever, and a rash around the site of the injection.

How will my child be offered the MMRV vaccine?

You’ll usually be contacted by your GP practice when your child is due for a routine vaccination like MMRV. This could be a letter, text, phone call, or email.

If you know your child is due for a vaccination and you have not been contacted, you can speak to your GP practice to book the appointment.

There are leaflets available in other languages.

Additional flyers are also available in Hindu, Italian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Polish, Romani, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Ukrainian and Urdu, which can be found HERE.

Cervical Cancer Elimination - Safe & effective - Instagram.png The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It's recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV. The HPV vaccination programme is unisex and invites boys and girls to be vaccinated against HPV.

The vaccination programme in schools is a one dose vaccination to be completely vaccinated.

Year 8s are invited for their HPV vaccination and those who are home schooled will be invited to a community clinic to receive their vaccination. We regularly conduct catch up visits and host community clinics to target those who missed the HPV vaccination the first time round.

Did you miss your HPV vaccine in school?

If you are unvaccinated from year 10 (age 14 years) onwards, your GP can offer the vaccination in GP practices and patients remain eligible until their 25th birthday.

Everyone eligible aged 16 years and 25 years is being invited to catch up on their missed HPV vaccine .

Speak to your GP surgery to check you have had your vaccine, and if you missed it, you can book your appointment to catch up.

Find out more www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/

For more information on HPV and the HPV vaccine see the NHS website.

• HPV vaccination guide for teenagers and young people (flyer) link
• HPV vaccination, large print (flyer) link
• HPV vaccination poster link
• HPV vaccination easy read link
• HPV vaccination audio link
• HPV vaccine British sign language link
• HPV vaccination record card link

Chickenpox is a very infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is very common in young children, and most children born in the UK will have had chickenpox by the time they turn 10.

Chickenpox causes a fever and an itchy, spotty rash. These spots can be painful and appear all over the body.  Most children with chickenpox will have a mild illness and recover after around a week. Some children may have a more serious illness and need to be admitted to hospital. In rare cases, children can develop serious complications including chest infection, fits, and encephalitis (brain inflammation). It is more severe in adults, especially pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. 

Later in life, the chickenpox virus can re-activate and cause a painful rash. This is called shingles. It is worse in older people and in people with weakened immune systems. 

Protection against chickenpox is now included in the routine childhood immunisation schedule. Eligibility is outlined in the how the MMRV protects against 4 potentially serious illnesses UKHSA blog, and common questions are answered in the Q&A section of this toolkit.

Please continue to book your child’s vaccination appointments when you receive your invitation from your child’s GP practice. If you would like any further information, please speak to your GP Practice.

Vaccinations have ensured the UK has been declared free of diseases such as polio, with others, like diphtheria, almost fully controlled.

However, in recent years we have seen a trend of lower vaccine uptake, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Vaccines contain a weakened form or small part of the bacterium or a virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals that the bacterium produces. Vaccines work by causing the body’s immune system to develop memory to that infection. If your child comes into contact with the infection, the body will recognise it and can rapidly make antibodies (substances that fight off infection and disease) to protect him or her. Because vaccines have been used so successfully in the UK, diseases such as diphtheria have almost disappeared from this country.

3-in-1 teenage booster FAQs

What about nasal spray flu vaccine? Are there any other reasons why my child should not receive this?

The nasal flu vaccine is live attenuated vaccines (that is, they contain viruses that have been weakened). Children who are ‘immunosuppressed’ may not be able to receive live vaccines. Children who are immunosuppressed include those:

whose immune system is suppressed because they are undergoing treatment for a serious condition such as a transplant or cancer, or
who have any condition which affects the immune system, such as severe primary immunodeficiency. If this applies to your child, you must tell your doctor, practice nurse or health visitor before the immunisation. They will get specialist advice.

This leaflet is now available to download in audio format:

And also in braille – on demand from the Healthpublications website. The same leaflet is available on GOV.UK in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Romani, Romanian, Somali, Tagalog, Tamil, Turkish and Urdu which can be viewed using the following link

If you require this information in Arabic, Bengali or Urdu language please click here.

Children's flu - JP.png

Frequently Asked Questions

Are childhood vaccines safe?

Yes. Before a vaccine is approved, it goes through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. Once in use, vaccines continue to be monitored. All routine NHS childhood vaccines have been used in millions of children worldwide and have an excellent safety record.

What are the common side effects of vaccines?

Most side effects are mild and short lived, such as a slightly sore arm, mild fever or redness at the injection site.

Can my child be vaccinated if they have allergies?

Yes, in most cases. Mild allergies do not prevent vaccination. Very rarely, a child may have an allergic reaction - usually straight after the vaccine is given. The nurse administering the vaccine is trained to treat this immediately.

How rare is a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)?

Anaphylaxis occurs in around one in a million vaccinations. It is extremely rare, and vaccinators are fully trained to respond if it happens.

Do vaccines contain harmful ingredients?

No. Vaccines contain only tiny amounts of ingredients that help make them safe and effective. They do not contain harmful levels of any substances, and there is no evidence that vaccine ingredients cause harm in the very small amounts used.

Do any childhood vaccines contain pork gelatine?

Yes, some do.

One of the MMRV vaccines contains porcine gelatine, and one does not
The nasal spray flu vaccine contains porcine gelatine, but a gelatine free flu injection is available
If you prefer a gelatine free option, speak to your school immunisation team.

My child is unwell - can they still have their vaccination?

If your child has a minor illness (like a cold) but no fever, they can still be vaccinated. If they have a fever, delay the vaccination until they are better, to avoid confusion between symptoms of illness and side effects of the vaccine.

Why does my child need several doses of some vaccines?

Multiple doses help build strong, long lasting immunity. Some vaccines require booster doses later in life to maintain protection.

Is “natural immunity” better than immunity from vaccines?

No. Catching diseases such as measles, meningitis or whooping cough carries serious risks including hospitalisation, disability and, in some cases, death. Vaccines teach the immune system to recognise infections safely, without the danger of the disease itself.

Do children get too many vaccines at once?

No. Babies’ immune systems routinely deal with thousands of germs every day. Studies show it is safe to give several vaccines at the same time, and it helps protect children as early as possible.

Can immunosuppressed children be vaccinated?

Children who are severely immunosuppressed may not be able to receive live vaccines (such as MMRV or nasal flu). The clinical team will provide specialist advice. It is especially important that their siblings and close contacts are fully vaccinated to help protect them.

Why do we still need vaccines if diseases like measles are now rare?

These diseases are rare because vaccination rates have historically been high. When uptake drops, infections spread more easily, and outbreaks occur. Global travel also means diseases can be brought into the UK. Vaccination protects your child and the wider community.

How will I know when my child’s vaccinations are due?

Your GP practice will contact you when vaccinations are due - by text, phone, email or letter. You can also check your child’s red book at any time.

What should I do if my child has missed a vaccine?

It’s never too late! Contact your GP practice. It is almost always possible to catch up without restarting the course. The only exception is rotavirus, which has strict upper age limits.