Parents urged to check eligibility as new chickenpox vaccine catch-up programme gets under way In NI
Friday 13 November 2026
Parents across Northern Ireland are being urged to check whether their children are eligible for a new chickenpox vaccination catch-up programme, offering additional protection to children who missed out when the vaccine was introduced earlier this year.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched the programme for children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 who have not previously had chickenpox or received two doses of chickenpox vaccine.
The scheme, which began on 1 November 2026 and runs until 31 March 2028, will offer eligible children a single dose of the MMRV vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, the virus responsible for chickenpox.
It follows the introduction of chickenpox vaccination into Northern Ireland’s routine childhood immunisation programme in January 2026, when the MMRV vaccine replaced the previous MMR vaccine.
Which children are eligible
All children born on or after 1 September 2022 are eligible for chickenpox vaccination through the routine childhood immunisation programme.
The new catch-up scheme extends protection to an older group of children who were above the original age threshold and may not have developed immunity through previous infection or vaccination.
The key eligibility details are:
• Children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 may be eligible for the catch-up programme.
• The programme is intended for children who have not previously had chickenpox or received two doses of chickenpox vaccine.
• Eligible children will be offered one dose of the combined MMRV vaccine.
• The catch-up programme runs from 1 November 2026 until 31 March 2028.
Parents who are uncertain about their child's vaccination history can check their child's red book or contact their health visitor or GP surgery.
Why chickenpox vaccination matters
Although chickenpox is commonly regarded as a mild childhood illness, the PHA is warning that it can sometimes cause serious complications, including hospital admission and, in rare cases, death.
Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said:
“Chickenpox is often seen as a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and in some cases can be fatal.”
Complications can include bacterial infections of skin lesions and, in rare cases, swelling of the brain, lung infections and stroke.
Chickenpox is also highly contagious, with outbreaks potentially disrupting school attendance and requiring parents to take time off work to care for unwell children.
Vaccine offers strong protection
According to the PHA, evidence from countries already using the vaccine shows that a single dose provides more than 90% protection against any chickenpox infection and approximately 99% protection against severe infection.
Ms Flanagan explained that extending vaccination to older children would help protect those who missed the opportunity when the routine programme changed.
“By offering this single dose of MMRV, we can help protect these children against chickenpox – not just the characteristic spots and general unwellness associated with the illness, but also the serious complications that can develop from it such as bacterial infection of skin lesions and, in rare cases, swelling of the brain, lung infection and stroke.”
She added that vaccination could also reduce the disruption caused by the illness to children’s education and family life.
“The vaccine will also help reduce the number of days off from school, and time parents have to take off work, as a result of this highly-transmissible disease.”
What if your child has already received two MMR vaccines
The PHA has also addressed concerns from parents whose children have already received two doses of the previous MMR vaccine, which protected against measles, mumps and rubella but did not include chickenpox protection.
It says receiving MMRV after two previous MMR doses is safe, with existing immunity preventing the weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses in the additional vaccine from replicating while still allowing protection against chickenpox to develop.
Ms Flanagan said:
“Some parents may wonder if it is safe to have the MMRV vaccine if their child has already had two MMRs in the past, however, the evidence shows that if your child has already had two MMRs, their immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella will stop the weakened viruses in the vaccine from replicating but still provide the protection needed for chickenpox. Therefore, it is important to avail of this new vaccine if eligible.”
How parents can check and arrange vaccination
Parents are encouraged to review their children's vaccination records and seek advice if they are unsure whether they qualify for the catch-up programme.
The PHA advises families to:
• Check their child's red book for previous vaccinations.
• Contact their health visitor or GP surgery if their child's vaccination history is unclear.
• Contact their GP practice to arrange an appointment if their child has missed a vaccination.
• Visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/childhood-immunisation for further information about childhood immunisations and MMRV eligibility.
With the catch-up programme continuing until March 2028, families whose children fall within the eligible birth dates now have an opportunity to secure protection against chickenpox that was not previously included in their routine childhood vaccinations.
The PHA is encouraging parents to check their child's records and arrange any outstanding vaccinations rather than leave them unprotected against a potentially serious illness.
