The essentials
- Usual timing
- From age 4, within the 4–6-year routine window
- How to get it
- Ask a primary care provider or public health unit about local appointments and funding.
Combines measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox protection. In the usual Ontario schedule, it provides the second dose of protection against these infections in one injection.
School status
Measles, mumps and rubella are school-required. Chickenpox is also required for children born in 2010 or later, unless exempt.
Side effects & precautions
Soreness, redness or swelling where the needle went in, fever or a mild rash can occur. Some reactions are delayed. Side-effect guidance
MMRV is a live vaccine. Discuss pregnancy, a weakened immune system, medicines that weaken immunity, recent blood or immune-globulin products, and any serious previous reaction. Rare serious reactions include fever-related seizures and severe allergy.
Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the tongue or throat. Not sure whether a reaction is expected? Contact a healthcare provider or call 811 for advice. Seek care promptly if symptoms are worrying or getting worse.
Useful to know
Why a combined vaccine?
It can reduce the number of injections at the preschool visit. A provider may use separate products when needed.
About fever-related seizures
The increased seizure risk described for a first MMRV dose at 12–23 months should not be applied directly to the routine second dose at 4–6 years. Tell the vaccinator about a personal or family seizure history.
Ingredients & more detail
Check the exact product
Ask the clinic for the product name. Its official Canadian product information (product monograph) lists ingredients, packaging, side effects and precautions. This page is a short overview, not a complete safety list.
Find a product in Health Canada’s Drug Product Database
Priorix-Tetra — Canadian product monograph (PDF). This is one product example; confirm which product the clinic uses.
Your next step
Bring the immunization record and a list of questions to the visit. Ask which doses count, what comes next and how to report new doses to public health.
Sources and references (7)
- Ontario — routine immunization schedule
- Canadian Immunization Guide — measles vaccines
- Canadian Immunization Guide — varicella vaccines
- Ontario — vaccines for children at school
- Health Canada — Drug Product Database and product monographs
- Priorix-Tetra — Canadian product monograph (PDF)
- Canadian Immunization Guide — precautions and contraindications
Program details can change. How this guide is reviewed