Chickenpox vaccine rolled out for young children in Wales
A vaccination programme to protect young children against chickenpox is now being offered across Wales. From January 2026, all children will be offered the vaccine as part of their routine immunisations.
The vaccine is given as a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, protecting against four infections: measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella).
While most children with chickenpox recover within a week, some can become seriously ill. Every year in Wales, over 4,000 people see their GP due to chickenpox and more than 300 are admitted to hospital.
The MMRV vaccine is safe and effective. It has been used in many countries for years.
A selective catch-up programme for children aged between 3 years and 4 months and under six years old, will be offered the vaccine later in 2026 for those who have not yet had chickenpox infection or 2 doses of the varicella vaccination.
If you have any questions about the vaccine, speak to your GP, health visitor or practice nurse. They can provide trusted information to help you make an informed decision for your child.
Cyflwyno brechlyn brech yr ieir i blant ifanc yng Nghymru
Mae rhaglen frechu i amddiffyn plant ifanc rhag brech yr ieir yn awr yn cael ei chynnig ledled Cymru. O fis Ionawr 2026 ymlaen, bydd pob plentyn yn cael cynnig y brechlyn fel rhan o’u himiwneiddiadau rheolaidd.
Rhoddir y brechlyn fel brechlyn MMRV cyfunol i blant 12 a 18 mis oed. Mae’n amddiffyn rhag pedwar haint: y frech goch, clwy’r pennau, rwbela a brech yr ieir (farisela).
Er bod y rhan fwyaf o blant â brech yr ieir yn gwella o fewn wythnos, gall rhai fynd yn sâl iawn. Mae dros 4,000 o bobl yn gorfod gweld eu meddyg teulu a mwy na 300 o bobl yn cael eu derbyn i’r ysbyty oherwydd brech yr ieir bob blwyddyn yng Nghymru.
Mae’r brechlyn MMRV yn ddiogel ac yn effeithiol. Mae wedi cael ei ddefnyddio mewn llawer o wledydd ers blynyddoedd.
Bydd rhaglen dal i fyny ddetholus ar gyfer plant rhwng 3 oed a 4 mis oed ac o dan chwech oed yn cael ei chynnal yn ddiweddarach yn 2026,ar gyfer y rhai nad ydynt wedi cael haint brech yr ieir eto neu sydd heb gael 2 ddos o’r brechlyn brech yr ieir.
Siaradwch â’ch meddyg teulu, ymwelydd iechyd neu nyrs practis os oes gennych gwestiynau am y brechlyn. Gallant roi gwybodaeth ddibynadwy i’ch helpu i wneud penderfyniad ar sail gwybodaeth ar gyfer eich plentyn.
