Chickenpox Vaccination
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What is Chickenpox and How Common Is It?
Chickenpox (varicella) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, and is one of the most contagious childhood illnesses, spreading easily through coughs, sneezes, and direct contact with fluid from the blisters.1
Almost everyone in the UK will encounter chickenpox at some point, most commonly in childhood: around 9 out of 10 adults already have immunity from a childhood infection.1 The incubation period is typically 10 to 21 days, and a person is contagious from around one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over, usually five to six days after the rash begins.1
For most young children, chickenpox is mild and self-limiting. However, it tends to be considerably more severe in teenagers and adults, and can carry serious risks for pregnant women and their unborn babies, and for anyone with a weakened immune system.2
If you're looking for a chickenpox vaccine near you, help is close by. With Pearl Chemist Group branches in Banstead, Byfleet, Cannon Hill, Cobham, Earlsfield, Epsom, London, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, Northcote Road, Streatham, Tolworth, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, and Kingston upon Thames, there's likely a branch near you offering private chickenpox vaccination for adults and children.
⚠️ Chickenpox in adulthood is up to 20 times more likely to require hospital treatment than chickenpox in early childhood.
If you missed chickenpox as a child, or aren't sure whether you've had it, vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself.
Who Is Most at Risk of Complications?
While most cases resolve without incident, chickenpox can occasionally lead to serious complications, particularly in the groups below.2
| Group | Potential Complications |
|---|---|
| Adults & teenagers | Higher risk of pneumonia, hospitalisation, and more severe skin infection |
| Pregnant women | Risk of varicella pneumonia; infection before 20 weeks can rarely cause congenital varicella syndrome in the baby |
| Newborn babies | Severe neonatal varicella if the mother is infected shortly before or after birth |
| Immunocompromised individuals | Increased risk of severe, widespread, or prolonged infection |
Source: NHS and UKHSA guidance on chickenpox in pregnancy and high-risk groups.2
Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Available on the NHS?
Chickenpox vaccination is not currently part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule in the UK.3 A free NHS vaccine may be offered by a GP to certain specific groups, including some healthcare workers who are not immune to chickenpox, and non-immune close contacts of people with a seriously weakened immune system.4
For everyone else, including parents wanting to protect a child, and adults who never had chickenpox growing up, the vaccine is available privately. Pearl Chemist Group offers convenient access to a private chickenpox vaccine, with no GP referral needed.
Private Chickenpox Vaccination at Pearl Chemist Group
Our pharmacist-led private vaccination clinic offers the chickenpox vaccine for both adults and children from the age of one, delivered in a private consultation room by a trained, GPhC-registered pharmacist.
Chickenpox Vaccine: £70 per dose
A full course requires two doses. Total course price: £140.
Prices correct at time of publication, please confirm current pricing with your local branch.
As with any private vaccination, our pharmacist will carry out a brief consultation before your appointment to check the vaccine is suitable for you, discuss the recommended dosing schedule, and answer any questions you may have.
Who Should Consider the Chickenpox Vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine may be worth considering if you are:
- An adult who has never had chickenpox, or is unsure whether you have had it
- A parent looking to protect a child against chickenpox
- Planning a pregnancy and not immune to chickenpox (vaccination should be completed well before conception, see important safety information below)
- A healthcare, childcare, or education worker with regular contact with young children
- Travelling or relocating to a country where chickenpox vaccination is part of the routine schedule, and proof of immunity may be required
- A close contact of someone with a weakened immune system, and you are not immune yourself
Not sure whether you're immune? Most people who have had chickenpox will have long-lasting natural immunity. If you can't recall having had it, a simple blood test can sometimes confirm immunity, or our pharmacist can talk through your options with you.1
What Happens During Your Vaccination Appointment?
Book Your Appointment
Book via our app, online at pearlchemistgroup.co.uk/book-an-appointment-charc#, or by calling your branch.
Private Consultation
A trained pharmacist will ask about your health, any allergies, and confirm the vaccine is suitable and safe for you.
Vaccination
The vaccine is given as a straightforward injection, usually into the upper arm.
Second Dose
A second dose is required for full protection, with the interval depending on age and the vaccine used, see the comparison below.5
Aftercare Advice
Your pharmacist will explain what to expect afterwards and when to seek further advice.
Which Chickenpox Vaccine Will I Have?
Two licensed vaccines are used in the UK. Both are live, weakened forms of the varicella-zoster virus, which encourage the body to build immunity without causing the illness itself.5
| Vaccine | Licensed From | Dosing Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Varilrix | 9 months | 2 doses, at least 6 weeks apart (children); 6–10 weeks apart (age 13+) |
| Varivax | 12 months | 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart (children); 4–8 weeks apart (age 13+) |
Your pharmacist will advise which vaccine and schedule is appropriate for you or your child.5
Who Should Not Have This Vaccine?
Because this is a live vaccine, it is not suitable for everyone. You should not have the chickenpox vaccine if you:6
- Are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant within four weeks of vaccination
- Have a significantly weakened immune system, including through certain medical conditions or treatments
- Have had a confirmed severe allergic reaction to a previous dose, or to any ingredient in the vaccine, including neomycin or gelatin
- Are currently unwell with a high temperature or acute illness, vaccination will usually be postponed until you have recovered
⚠️ Pregnancy must be avoided for four weeks following vaccination.
Your pharmacist will discuss this with you as part of your consultation before you are vaccinated.
Possible Side Effect
Like all vaccines, the chickenpox vaccine can cause side effects. Most are mild and settle on their own.5
- Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- A mild fever
- A mild, chickenpox-like rash of a small number of spots, occasionally a few weeks after vaccination
- Tiredness or a general feeling of being unwell for a day or two
Chickenpox Vaccine vs Shingles Vaccine: What's the Difference?
The chickenpox and shingles vaccines both target the varicella-zoster virus but serve different purposes. The chickenpox vaccine helps prevent a first infection with the virus, while the shingles vaccine is designed for older adults who have already had chickenpox, to prevent the virus reactivating later in life as shingles.7
If you're interested in shingles vaccination, please ask your local branch, as this is offered as a separate service.
Frequently asked questions
Can adults get the chickenpox vaccine?
Yes. The chickenpox vaccine for adults is one of the most common reasons people book this service, particularly those who never had chickenpox as a child, or are planning a pregnancy.
Can children get the chickenpox vaccine?
Yes. The chickenpox vaccine for children is available privately from the age of one. Please contact your local branch to check suitability and timing for your child.
Do I need an appointment?
We recommend booking ahead to guarantee a slot, though some branches can accommodate walk-ins. You can book a chickenpox vaccine via our app, online, or by phone.
Is the vaccine available on the NHS?
For most people, no. The chickenpox vaccine UK schedule does not currently include it as a routine NHS vaccination. Certain risk groups may be eligible for a free NHS vaccine via their GP.
How many doses do I need?
Two doses are needed for full protection. The recommended gap between doses depends on your age and which vaccine is used, see the comparison table above.
Is it safe to have alongside other vaccines?
Your pharmacist will review your vaccination history and advise on timing alongside any other vaccines you may need.
How effective is the chickenpox vaccine?
Clinical studies show the vaccine is highly effective at preventing chickenpox, and where breakthrough infection does occur after vaccination, it's typically much milder.
I'm looking for a chickenpox vaccine near me. Which branches offer this?
This service is available at all 30 Pearl Chemist Group branches, including Banstead, Byfleet, Cannon Hill, Cobham, Earlsfield, Epsom, London, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, Northcote Road, Streatham, Tolworth, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, and Kingston upon Thames, subject to individual clinical assessment and stock availability.
Book Your Chickenpox Vaccine
The easiest way to book your chickenpox vaccine is through the Pearl Chemist Group app. You can also book online or call your local branch directly.
Download Our App
Available on the App Store and Google Play
Book online: pearlchemistgroup.co.uk/book-an-appointment-charc#
Prefer to call?
You can reach our pharmacy teams on:
Disclaimer: This page is for information purposes only. The chickenpox vaccine is a private service delivered by GPhC-registered pharmacists following an individual consultation. It is not suitable for everyone, including pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system. Availability, pricing, and eligibility may vary by branch. For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP or NHS 111.
References
All clinical and statistical content on this page is sourced from the following:
- 1. NHS. Chickenpox. nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox
- 2. NHS. Chickenpox in pregnancy. nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/complications/chickenpox
- 3. NHS. Chickenpox vaccine. nhs.uk/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine
- 4. UKHSA. Immunisation against infectious disease (the Green Book), Chapter 34 — Varicella. gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book
- 5. electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). Varilrix and Varivax — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk/emc
- 6. NHS. Who cannot have certain vaccinations. nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations
- 7. NHS. Shingles vaccine. nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine
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