Chickenpox Vaccine

What is chickenpox?

Varicella Zoster, also known as chickenpox, is a common viral infection usually caught in childhood. It’s highly contagious and is spread through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact. 

Who is at risk from chickenpox?

Whilst chickenpox can affect all ages, it’s most commonly caught in childhood. Symptoms do generally get worse with age however, often requiring time off from school, childcare or work.

To protect those who are most vulnerable to chickenpox, the NHS recommend, and offer, the chickenpox vaccine to healthcare workers, laboratory workers in direct contact with the virus, and those who are in close contact with someone with a weakened immune system (such as a sibling of a chemotherapy patient living in the same household).

How can we help?

The NHS currently offers a chickenpox vaccination to certain vulnerable groups, protecting those who are most at risk.

Our private vaccination service is available to those seeking protection from the chickenpox virus.

If our Chickenpox Vaccination Service is suitable, you'll receive two vaccinations at a minimum of one month apart. If you, or your child, had a first dose of chickenpox vaccination at a different provider, you can still have your second dose at with, providing you meet all the eligibility criteria for our service.

Who is the Chickenpox Vaccination Service suitable for?

The service is suitable for both adults and children aged between one and 65 years inclusive at the time of the first vaccination.

The service isn't suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone with a weakened immune system, or anyone who's had an allergic reaction to any previous vaccination. The service is also not suitable for anyone who's received the MMR vaccine in the previous four weeks. Our travel pharmacist will check suitability during the consultation.

Children under the age of two will typically be vaccinated in the thigh, and anyone over the age of two will usually be vaccinated in the arm. However, the pharmacist will use their judgement in each case to decide whether to vaccinate in the thigh or arm. Therefore, it’s helpful for you or your child to wear loose fitting clothing and short sleeves that can be rolled up.