The Long Gap — Why There Is No Appointment
The UK routine childhood vaccination schedule has two clusters: the primary course in the first four months (8, 12, and 16 weeks) and the 1-year boosters (12–13 months). After the 1-year appointment, the schedule is designed to be silent until 3 years 4 months — a gap of approximately 2 years.
This is not an oversight. The immunity from the 1-year appointment — which includes the first measles protection, the completed MenB course, the Hib/MenC booster, and the PCV booster — is designed to provide sufficient protection through the toddler years. The pre-school booster arrives at 3 years 4 months specifically to reinforce whooping cough and diphtheria/tetanus/polio protection before school entry (and the nursery and school setting that significantly increases exposure risk), and to give the MMR 2nd dose for near-complete measles protection.
| Disease | Status at 15 Months | What Happens Next |
|---|---|---|
| Measles | ✅ MMR 1st dose — ~92–95% effective against measles; given at 12–13 months | MMR 2nd dose at 3 years 4 months raises to ~99% effectiveness |
| Mumps and rubella | ✅ MMR 1st dose — good protection; 2nd dose completes the course | MMR 2nd dose at 3 years 4 months |
| Meningococcal B (MenB) | ✅ 3-dose course complete — strong sustained protection | No further routine dose in the standard NHS schedule |
| Meningococcal C (MenC) | ✅ Introduced at 1 year via Hib/MenC booster | MenACWY at age 14 extends and broadens meningococcal protection |
| Hib meningitis | ✅ Primary course + 1-year booster complete — strong protection | No further routine dose needed |
| Pneumococcal (PCV) | ✅ 2-dose course complete | No further routine dose in the standard schedule |
| Diphtheria, tetanus, polio | ⚠️ 3-dose primary course complete — very slow waning begins over years | 4-in-1 pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | ⚠️ 3-dose primary course complete — pertussis immunity wanes faster than diphtheria/tetanus; still protective but the pre-school booster timing matters | 4-in-1 pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months — keeping this on time is important for whooping cough especially |
| Hepatitis B | ✅ 3-dose primary course complete — long-lasting protection | No further dose in standard UK schedule |
| Chickenpox (varicella) | ❌ No routine UK vaccine — child has no vaccine protection against chickenpox | Private vaccination available; no NHS routine vaccine in the current schedule |
The Chickenpox Vaccine — Why the UK Doesn't Offer It and What Your Options Are
The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is one of the most thoroughly proven vaccines in the world. It has been part of the US routine childhood schedule since 1995. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan, and most high-income countries include it in their childhood immunisation programmes. The UK does not.
This is not a cost or safety issue. The UK's own NHS uses the chickenpox vaccine routinely — for healthcare workers who are not immune, because an unvaccinated healthcare worker with chickenpox is a genuine risk to immunocompromised patients. The clinical evidence for the vaccine's safety and effectiveness is settled.
Why the JCVI Did Not Add It to the Routine Schedule
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the chickenpox vaccine comprehensively in 2021. The decision not to add it was primarily based on mathematical modelling of shingles (herpes zoster) risk in adults aged 50–80.
Here is the mechanism: once you have had chickenpox (primary varicella-zoster virus infection), the virus remains latent in nerve ganglia for life. Periodic exposure to wild-type chickenpox circulating in the community provides an immune boost that suppresses this latent virus — significantly reducing the chance of shingles reactivation. If the UK introduces universal childhood chickenpox vaccination, the amount of wild-type chickenpox circulating in the community falls substantially. This reduces the immune-boosting exposures for adults who had chickenpox in childhood — and the JCVI's models suggested this could, in the short to medium term, increase shingles cases in the 50–70 age group before the vaccinated generation reaches that age and itself drives the shingles rate down.
This is genuinely a population-level calculation, not a concern about the vaccine's safety or effectiveness for the individual child. Countries that have introduced universal chickenpox vaccination are now monitoring their shingles rates closely; early data from the US and Germany are reassuring but long-term data are still accumulating. The JCVI committed to ongoing review.
The Private Chickenpox Vaccine in the UK — The Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vaccine brands available in the UK | Varivax (Merck/MSD) and Varilrix (GSK) — both live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccines; equivalent efficacy |
| Eligible age | From 12 months of age — can be given at 15 months |
| Number of doses | 2 doses required for full protection; given a minimum of 6 weeks apart (some schedules use 12 weeks between doses) |
| Effectiveness — any chickenpox | Approximately 80–85% after 2 doses in preventing any varicella infection |
| Effectiveness — severe disease | Approximately 97–99% against severe chickenpox requiring hospitalisation after 2 doses |
| Breakthrough infection | 20% risk of a mild breakthrough chickenpox if exposed; breakthrough infections have significantly fewer spots, no fever, and resolve much faster than unvaccinated infection |
| Cost | Approximately £60–90 per dose at a private clinic or pharmacy; approximately £120–180 for the 2-dose course |
| Where to get it | Private GP practices; travel clinics; Boots Travel Clinics; LloydsPharmacy; Superdrug; independent private vaccine providers. Confirm the provider is CQC-registered and the nurse or GP is qualified to administer vaccines |
| Can it be given with NHS vaccines? | Can be given at the same visit as other live vaccines (e.g. if MMR catch-up is happening simultaneously); otherwise leave 4 weeks between live vaccine administrations. Confirm with the provider |
| Side effects | Injection site redness and tenderness; mild fever in the first 48 hours (common); a mild chickenpox-like rash of 2–5 spots in 5–10% of recipients — not contagious in most cases; resolves without treatment |
Who to Most Strongly Consider It For
- Households with an immunocompromised member: a parent, grandparent, or sibling who has cancer, is on chemotherapy, is on immunosuppressive medication, or has HIV — chickenpox brought home from nursery by an unvaccinated toddler can be life-threatening to this person
- Households with a pregnant woman: primary chickenpox infection in pregnancy carries a risk of foetal varicella syndrome (rare but serious) in the first 20 weeks, and neonatal chickenpox if infection occurs near delivery. If a sibling, partner, or household member is pregnant, vaccinating the toddler reduces their exposure risk
- Toddlers in nursery where outbreaks are common: chickenpox spreads efficiently in nursery and childcare settings; the highest exposure risk is in the first years of nursery attendance
- Parents who know they have not had chickenpox: a non-immune parent exposed to primary chickenpox from their toddler is at significant risk of severe adult chickenpox — which is considerably more serious than childhood infection
What Chickenpox Looks Like at 15 Months — And When to Worry
If your toddler has not been vaccinated and is exposed to chickenpox, the incubation period is 10–21 days. The infection is contagious from approximately 2 days before the rash appears until all spots have crusted over — typically 5–7 days after the rash begins.
| Stage | What Happens | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prodrome | Mild fever, reduced appetite, and general unwellness — 1–2 days before the rash appears | 1–2 days |
| Early rash | Flat pink spots (macules) appear — typically starting on the chest, back, face, or scalp; rapidly become raised (papules) then fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) within hours; each spot follows this progression | Begins days 1–2 of rash |
| Active rash | New crops of spots appear over 3–5 days; at any one time there will be spots at different stages (flat, raised, blistered, and crusted) — this mixed-stage appearance is characteristic of chickenpox; the child is very itchy and uncomfortable; some children develop spots in the mouth and throat | 3–5 days |
| Crusting | Blisters dry and crust over; itching gradually reduces; child is no longer contagious once all spots are crusted; the crusts eventually fall off (encourage not to pick — can scar) | 5–10 days from rash onset |
Managing Chickenpox at 15 Months
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and discomfort — give weight-appropriate doses; never aspirin (Reye's syndrome risk)
- Calamine lotion applied to spots reduces itching; antihistamine cream is generally not recommended for children — check with your pharmacist
- Trim fingernails short to reduce secondary bacterial infection from scratching
- Loose, cool clothing — heat worsens itching
- Cool baths with oatmeal-based bath products can reduce itching temporarily
- Keep the child hydrated — fever and discomfort reduce appetite and thirst; offer frequent small drinks
- Keep home from nursery until all spots are crusted — typically 5–7 days from rash onset; some nurseries require a clearance letter from a GP (check the nursery policy)
The Aspirin Rule — Reye's Syndrome
When Chickenpox Becomes Serious — When to Call
- Any spots become very red, hot, swollen, painful, or oozing — signs of secondary bacterial skin infection (occurs in approximately 5% of chickenpox cases)
- The child is breathing faster or harder than normal, or has chest pain — possible chickenpox pneumonia
- The child has a fever above 38.5°C that does not respond to paracetamol
- New spots are still appearing after day 7 or rash is spreading very rapidly
- The child has mouth or eye involvement — spots inside the mouth or on the eyelids
- The child has a stiff neck, severe headache, is unusually drowsy, confused, or has a seizure — possible encephalitis; call 999 for these signs
- Any contact with a pregnant woman, immunocompromised person, or newborn occurs during the infectious period — they should contact their GP or midwife immediately
If You Missed the 1-Year Appointment — Catch Up Now
If your toddler is now 15 months and has not yet had the 12-13 month vaccines, contact your GP surgery today and book the appointment as soon as possible. There is no upper age limit on the 1-year schedule vaccines — they can be given at any age, and the protection they provide is equally important.
The most time-sensitive element is the MMR. Your 15-month-old has no measles protection until the MMR 1st dose is given. Measles is highly contagious and circulates in nursery, childcare, and community settings. The longer the MMR is delayed, the longer this vulnerability continues.
| Vaccine | Status if Missed at 12 Months | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| MMR 1st dose | ❌ No measles, mumps, or rubella protection until given | Book immediately — this is the priority; can be given at any age from 12 months onwards |
| MenB 3rd dose/booster | ⚠️ 2-dose primary course in place; 3rd dose reinforces and completes MenB protection | Book as soon as possible — can be given at any age after 12 months |
| Hib/MenC booster | ⚠️ Hib primary course complete from 6-in-1; MenC not yet introduced without this booster | Book as soon as possible — MenC introduction is time-sensitive given exposure risk in toddler years |
| PCV booster | ⚠️ 1-dose PCV from primary course; 2nd dose significantly extends pneumococcal protection | Book as soon as possible — can be given at any age after 12 months |
When you call your surgery, say specifically: "My toddler is 15 months and missed the 12-month appointment — I need to book a catch-up vaccination." The surgery will arrange all four vaccines at a single catch-up appointment.
Travel Vaccines for a 15-Month-Old — Planning Your First Holiday Abroad
Fifteen months is the age when many families start planning their first family holiday abroad. The routine NHS vaccine schedule is not designed for international travel — it protects against diseases common in the UK, not necessarily those circulating at travel destinations. Additional vaccines may be needed depending on where you are going.
| Vaccine | Relevant Destinations | Age Eligibility | NHS or Private? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Africa, Asia, Central and South America, parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East | From 12 months; single dose gives 1 year protection; booster at 6–12 months gives 10–25 years | Private — not routinely on NHS; approximately £50–70 per dose at a travel clinic |
| Typhoid | South and Southeast Asia, Africa, parts of Latin America | Injection licensed from 2 years; oral capsule from 6 years. For under-2s, discuss with travel clinic | Private; approximately £35–55 per dose |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Sub-Saharan Africa (meningitis belt); Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | From 12 months in some clinics; standard UK schedule gives at age 14 — discuss with travel clinic for early travel need | Private for under-14s; approximately £50–70 |
| Rabies | Rural Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa — especially if outdoor/rural exposure likely | Any age — pre-exposure course of 2–3 doses | Private; approximately £50–80 per dose for a 2–3 dose course |
| Japanese encephalitis | Rural Asia — particularly if staying in rural rice-farming or flood-prone areas | From 2 months in specialist travel clinics with Ixiaro — discuss with travel health specialist | Private |
Many popular holiday destinations — including most of Western Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and mainstream resort areas in Turkey, the Canary Islands, and the Caribbean — require no additional travel vaccines for a 15-month-old beyond ensuring the routine NHS schedule is up to date. The travel clinic will assess your specific itinerary and accommodation type.
The Flu Vaccine at 15 Months — Who Needs It and How to Get It
The annual flu nasal spray for healthy children begins at 2–3 years in the UK. At 15 months, the flu vaccine is only recommended for toddlers with qualifying health conditions.
Qualifying conditions for the annual flu injection at 15 months:
- Chronic heart conditions — including significant congenital heart disease
- Chronic lung conditions — including significant asthma requiring regular preventive medication or hospital admissions
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
- Neurological conditions — including cerebral palsy, severe epilepsy, or other conditions affecting the nervous system
- Immunosuppression — including from medication, cancer treatment, or primary immune deficiency
- Diabetes mellitus
- Being a household contact of an immunocompromised person
For qualifying toddlers, the flu vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection (not the nasal spray, which is licensed from 2 years). It should be given each autumn — ideally September to early November, before flu season peaks. If your toddler qualifies and has not yet received this year's flu vaccine, contact your GP surgery now.
The flu vaccine composition changes annually to match the strains expected to circulate that season — last year's vaccine does not protect against this year's flu.
Common Nursery Infections at 15 Months — What Has No Vaccine
By 15 months, most toddlers are in some form of nursery or regular childcare — and encountering a rotation of viral infections that are largely not vaccine-preventable in the UK. Understanding them reduces anxiety significantly.
| Infection | UK Vaccine? | Key Clinical Features | When to Seek Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-foot-and-mouth (HFM) | No | Small painful blisters on palms, soles, and inside the mouth; mild fever; very common in toddlers; spreads via droplets and contact | Contact GP if toddler is not drinking due to mouth pain (dehydration risk); avoid contact with pregnant women especially in first trimester (rare risk of pregnancy complications from coxsackievirus A16) |
| Slapped cheek (parvovirus B19) | No | Bright red rash on cheeks, then a lacy rash on the body; mild fever and cold-like symptoms before the rash; self-limiting; by the time the rash appears, the child is no longer infectious | Contact GP if there is a pregnant household member or contact (risk to foetus in first 20 weeks); contact GP if toddler has sickle cell disease or immunosuppression (can cause anaemia) |
| Chickenpox (varicella) | No routine UK vaccine — private available | See Section 3 above; very common in nursery; spreads by airborne transmission (can travel across a room); highly contagious | See Section 3; keep child home until all spots crusted; notify nursery immediately |
| Norovirus (stomach bug) | No — rotavirus vaccine protects against rotavirus specifically but not norovirus | Sudden vomiting and diarrhoea; resolves in 24–48 hours; highly contagious; spreads via contaminated surfaces and hands | Watch for dehydration: no wet nappy in 6+ hours, dry mouth, sunken fontanelle, unusual lethargy; call NHS 111 if concerned about dehydration; keep child home for 48 hours after symptoms resolve |
| RSV and winter colds | No routine toddler vaccine — maternal RSV vaccine available for some; some high-risk infants received nirsevimab | Runny nose, cough, mild fever; most toddlers at 15 months have had one or more RSV infections; most recover without intervention | Contact GP if breathing is faster or harder than usual, ribs are visible with breathing, or toddler is not feeding; toddlers with underlying heart or lung conditions warrant earlier clinical review |
| Conjunctivitis | No | Sticky, red, discharging eyes; very common in nursery; usually bacterial or viral; self-limiting | Most nurseries exclude children with weeping conjunctivitis; see pharmacist first — many cases can be managed with cleaning advice without antibiotics |
Questions Parents Are Actually Asking at 15 Months
"Other countries vaccinate against chickenpox routinely — am I failing my child by not getting it privately?"
No. Not getting the private chickenpox vaccine in the UK is not negligent — it is the default position that the NHS itself takes. Most UK children who are not privately vaccinated will get chickenpox, most will recover completely in a week, and most will develop lifelong natural immunity. The private vaccine is an individually rational choice — particularly for families with household vulnerability factors — but it is a choice, not an obligation. The decision-making process is: does your family's specific situation make chickenpox exposure unusually risky? If yes, the private vaccine is clearly worth discussing with your GP. If no — an immunocompromised household member, a pregnant contact, or non-immune parents — then the NHS's current guidance is a reasonable default.
"My toddler had the 1-year appointment late — do I need to do anything differently?"
If the appointment was given 2–4 weeks after the scheduled 12–13 month window, nothing changes — the vaccines are equally effective and the MMR reaction profile is the same. If it was significantly delayed (e.g., the appointment happened at 14–15 months), the protection is the same — but count the MMR reaction window (days 6–10 for fever, days 7–12 for possible rash) from the actual appointment date, not from the birthday. The pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months is dated from the child's birth date, not from when the 1-year vaccines were given — so no adjustment is needed there.
"We're going to Turkey/Tenerife/Spain for a 2-week holiday — do we need travel vaccines?"
For mainstream tourist destinations within Europe and Turkey, no additional travel vaccines are required for a 15-month-old beyond the routine NHS schedule being up to date. The biggest practical risk at these destinations is diarrhoeal illness from different food and water pathogens — hand hygiene, bottled water for drinking (not tap water for toddlers even if locals drink it), and care with street food reduces this risk. For destinations in Africa, South or Southeast Asia, or Latin America, a travel health appointment is essential. For Europe — including Spain, Turkey, Canary Islands, and Mediterranean resorts — a travel health appointment is not typically necessary but you can book one if you want confirmation.
"My toddler had a fever 10 days ago when we thought it was the nursery bugs — could it have been the delayed MMR reaction?"
If the 1-year appointment was approximately 6–10 days before the fever started, then yes — a fever in that window is the expected MMR reaction even if you had attributed it to something else. The MMR fever is the most commonly missed-and-misattributed reaction in the vaccination schedule precisely because it is delayed and arrives in a window when toddlers are also picking up nursery infections. If the fever resolved within a few days, the baby was interactive between spikes, and no serious features were present, this retrospective picture is consistent with the MMR reaction and no follow-up is needed. Log the reaction in Lunara and the red book alongside the vaccination date.
15-Month Vaccination Checklist
- Confirm the 1-year appointment has been completed — check the red book ☐
- If the 1-year appointment was missed or delayed, call your surgery today ☐
- Confirm the pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months is on your radar — if nothing arrives by 3 years 2 months, contact your surgery ☐
- Assess your household: does anyone have an immunosuppressive condition, is anyone pregnant, are either parents non-immune to chickenpox? ☐
- If yes to any of these: discuss the private chickenpox vaccine with your GP ☐
- If going ahead with private chickenpox vaccine: book 2 doses 6–12 weeks apart from 12 months of age ☐
- Check that the provider is CQC-registered and the administering clinician is qualified ☐
- For European destinations: ensure NHS vaccines are up to date; no additional travel vaccines typically needed ☐
- For non-European destinations: book a travel health appointment 6–8 weeks before departure ☐
- At the travel appointment: raise Hepatitis A (available from 12 months) and destination-specific risks ☐
- If toddler has a qualifying health condition: contact GP surgery each autumn to arrange the annual flu injection ☐
- For healthy toddlers: nasal flu spray begins at 2–3 years; nothing needed now ☐
- Keep the red book updated with all vaccines given — nursery may ask for a copy ☐
- Know the chickenpox exclusion rules for your nursery ☐
- Know the glass test: a rash that does not fade under glass pressed firmly on the skin = 999, always ☐
- Aspirin is never safe for children — especially with viral illness ☐
Frequently Asked Questions — 15 Month Vaccines UK
No — there is no routine NHS vaccination at 15 months. The last routine appointment before 15 months was the 1-year appointment at 12–13 months. The next routine appointment is the pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months. The gap of approximately 2 years is intentional — the immunity from the 1-year vaccines provides protection through this window. No vaccine has been missed from the schedule. If you missed the 1-year appointment, contact your surgery immediately to book a catch-up.
No — the UK does not routinely offer the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine on the NHS for healthy children. The JCVI reviewed it in 2021 and decided not to add it to the routine schedule — the main concern was population-level shingles modelling, not safety or efficacy. The vaccine is available privately from age 12 months; it requires 2 doses 6–12 weeks apart; it costs approximately £60–90 per dose at a private clinic; and it is approximately 80–85% effective at preventing any chickenpox infection and ~97% effective against severe disease. NHS staff without chickenpox immunity are offered it through the NHS occupational health programme.
It depends on your household circumstances. The case is strongest for: households with an immunocompromised member (the unvaccinated toddler bringing chickenpox home is a serious risk to this person); households with a pregnant woman (primary chickenpox in pregnancy has foetal risks); and parents who know they are not immune to chickenpox themselves. For families without these specific risk factors, the decision is one of personal choice and values — there is no clinical failure in following the NHS's current guidance. Discuss your specific situation with your GP before deciding.
Chickenpox begins with 1–2 days of mild fever, then a rash starting as flat pink spots rapidly becoming fluid-filled blisters, appearing in crops over 3–5 days. The child is contagious from 2 days before the rash until all spots crust over (5–7 days). Most 15-month-olds recover completely. Contact GP if: spots become very red, hot, swollen, or painful (secondary bacterial infection); the child is breathing faster or harder than normal (pneumonia); the child is very drowsy, confused, or has a seizure (encephalitis — call 999). NEVER give aspirin to a child with chickenpox — Reye's syndrome risk. Use paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and discomfort.
Yes — call your surgery today and book a catch-up appointment. All four 1-year vaccines (MMR, MenB booster, Hib/MenC booster, PCV booster) can be given at any age after 12 months. The most time-sensitive is the MMR — your toddler has no measles protection until this is given, and measles is highly contagious in nursery and community settings. When you call, say specifically: "My toddler is 15 months and missed the 1-year appointment — I need to book a catch-up vaccination." The surgery will arrange all four vaccines at one appointment.
Only if your toddler has a qualifying health condition: chronic heart or lung conditions, kidney or liver disease, neurological conditions, immunosuppression, diabetes, or being a household contact of an immunocompromised person. For healthy toddlers, the routine flu vaccine begins at 2–3 years as the annual nasal flu spray. For qualifying toddlers at 15 months, the flu vaccine is given as an injection (nasal spray is licensed from 2 years) — contact your GP surgery each autumn before flu season peaks.
Depends entirely on the destination. For most of Europe, Turkey, and mainstream resort areas — no additional travel vaccines beyond the up-to-date routine NHS schedule. For Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe/Middle East — a travel health appointment is essential at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Common travel vaccines for toddlers include Hepatitis A (from 12 months; approximately £50–70 private) and Typhoid (injection licensed from 2 years). Book with a travel health nurse or clinic, not a standard GP appointment.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (coxsackievirus) — blisters on palms, soles, and mouth; avoid contact with pregnant women. Slapped cheek disease (parvovirus B19) — red cheek rash then lacy body rash; avoid contact with pregnant women. Chickenpox — no UK routine vaccine. Norovirus — sudden vomiting and diarrhoea; keep home for 48 hours after symptoms resolve; watch for dehydration. RSV/winter colds — generally manageable in healthy toddlers. Increased illness frequency in the first year of nursery is normal and expected as the immune system builds its library of responses.
The next routine NHS vaccination appointment is the pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months — approximately 2 years away. This gives the MMR 2nd dose (raising measles protection from ~92% after 1 dose to ~99% after 2 doses) and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio). Between now and then: the annual flu nasal spray begins at 2–3 years for healthy children. Keep the pre-school booster appointment on time — if no letter or invitation arrives by the child's 3rd birthday plus 2 months, contact your surgery.
Approximately £60–90 per dose at a private travel clinic, private GP, or pharmacy offering a private vaccine service. Two doses are required, given at least 6 weeks apart. Total course cost: approximately £120–180. Brands: Varivax (MSD) and Varilrix (GSK) — equivalent efficacy. Providers include Boots Travel Clinics, LloydsPharmacy, Superdrug, and independent private travel health clinics. Confirm the provider is CQC-registered before booking.
The Quiet in the Schedule Is Not a Gap — It Is the Plan Working
The 2-year stretch between the 1-year appointment and the pre-school booster can feel unmoored to parents who have spent 13 months attending clinics regularly. The quiet is intentional. The immunity from the 1-year vaccines is doing its job.
The one decision that is genuinely yours to make during this window — that the NHS has explicitly handed to individual families — is the chickenpox vaccine. There is no right universal answer. There is a right answer for your specific household, informed by your circumstances and a conversation with your GP.
Keep the pre-school booster appointment on time. Know the glass test. Know that a feverish toddler who is alert and smiley between spikes, roughly 10 days after the 1-year appointment, is showing you the MMR working. Everything else in this two-year window is noise.
Log every vaccine — NHS and private — in one place.
Including the chickenpox vaccine if you go ahead with it.
Lunara's vaccination tracker records every dose with the date and notes — so when nursery asks for an immunisation record, when the travel clinic asks what your toddler has had, or when the pre-school booster letter arrives and you want to see the complete picture, everything is there. NHS and private vaccines in the same log. Free to start.