ACIP Recommends Standalone Chickenpox Vaccination in Toddlers

ATLANTA-SEPTEMBER 18, 2025-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today voted to adopt a new recommendation for the child immunization schedule, while ensuring that all children receive immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox from 12 months of age.

The Committee by a vote of eight to three recommends that toddlers through age three be immunized for varicella (chickenpox) through standalone vaccination rather than through the combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

The CDC Immunization Safety Office's presentation to ACIP showed that healthy 12-23 months old toddlers have increased risk of febrile seizure seven to 10 days after MMRV vaccination compared to those given separate immunization for varicella and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). This excess risk from MMRV accounts for approximately five more febrile seizures per 10,000 doses, without conferring additional protection from varicella.

MMRV prelicensure studies conducted among the same age group found that fever and measles-like rash were reported at significantly greater rate among children receiving the first dose of the MMRV vaccine than children receiving first doses of the MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine during the same visit.

HHS will examine all insurance coverage implications following today's ACIP recommendation, prior to a final decision on adoption by the Acting Director. A recommendation from ACIP becomes part of the CDC immunization schedule if it is adopted by the CDC director.

The Committee will reconvene Friday, September 19 when it will consider an anticipated vote on Hepatitis B vaccines.