Federal Panel Recommends Separating MMR and Varicella Vaccines to Lower Febrile Seizure Risk

A federal advisory panel has recommended separating the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine into two separate shots. The decision aims to reduce the risk of febrile seizures in young children, a potential side effect associated with the combined MMRV vaccine. However, some members of the panel expressed concerns that this change could lead to fewer children receiving full immunization coverage.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), voted on Thursday in favor of revising its guidance to recommend administering the MMR and varicella vaccines separately rather than as a single combination shot. Studies have shown that while both vaccination methods are effective at preventing disease, the combined MMRV vaccine carries a slightly higher risk of febrile seizures in children under five years old compared to giving the vaccines separately. Despite this finding, some experts worry that requiring two separate injections may deter parents from completing their children’s vaccination schedules, potentially reducing overall immunization rates.

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Date: September 18, 2025

Author

Mark Chiang