Make sure your child is vaccinated against measles

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.

Check your child’s Red Book to see if they’ve received MMR vaccination which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, or check with your GP surgery if you’re unsure.

MMR vaccine catch-up programme

Some School Aged Immunisation Service providers are offering local clinics to provide catch-up MMR vaccinations. School-aged children who have missed their MMR vaccinations can receive a catch-up vaccination at their local clinic. Details of your local School Aged Immunisation Service provider can be found below.

Any preschool children missing vaccinations should contact their GP. Most healthy adults will have developed some immunity to measles but can still receive two doses of the vaccine from their GP too.

New MMRV vaccine

The NHS now offers the MMRV vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, with the first dose at one year old and the second at 18 months. We would encourage you book for your child in to receive their vaccinations as soon as possible when they are due. Some older children and adults may still be offered the MMR vaccine.

A one-dose MMRV selective catch-up programme will be delivered between 1st November 2026 and 31st March 2028 at GP practices for eligible children. Children eligible for the catch up are those who were born between 1 January 2020 and 31st August 2022 and have no history of chickenpox or have not had two doses of a varicella vaccination.

What is the difference between the MMR and MMRV vaccine?

The NHS introduced the MMRV vaccination into the routine childhood vaccination schedule from 1 January 2026 to replace MMR vaccination. The MMRV vaccine is a 2 dose combined vaccine that includes protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).

The MMRV vaccine has been successfully used in children in other countries for decades, including Germany and Canada, Australia and the United States and eligibility for MMRV is based on date of birth.

Children who miss out on MMR or MMRV continue to remain eligible for life.

Know the signs of measles

Anyone with symptoms is also being advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice.

Early signs of measles include a high temperature, cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes, with a rash usually appearing a few days later. If you think you or your child has measles, phone your GP practice or NHS 111 before visiting – measles spreads easily in waiting rooms.

For more information about measles, see Measles – NHS.