Since 1 January 2026, the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Wales includes the combined MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).

Infants are now offered:

• a first dose of MMRV at 12 months, and
• a second dose at 18 months. The 18-month visit is a new vaccination appointment.

Following these changes the Public Health Wales Preschool Immunisation Resource Pack (which can be found here) has been updated with a new letter for parents/guardians to reflect these alterations. This pack also contains letters for managers and staff in childcare settings.

Please can you share this information throughout your networks, along with the links to the Resource Pack.

For any queries or further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at phw.vaccines@wales.nhs.uk.