Chickenpox Vaccination
Private chickenpox vaccination for children from 12 months, and for adults after a clinical assessment.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that usually causes an itchy rash and a fever. Most cases are mild, but it can occasionally lead to complications, particularly in people who are already vulnerable. Vaccination is an effective way to reduce both the risk of catching it and the risk of those complications.
We offer the vaccine privately, given by trained healthcare professionals after a clinical assessment.
Before you book
- This is a two-dose course. At £90 a dose that is £180 in total, with the second dose 4 to 8 weeks after the first.
- If you or your child has already had chickenpox, the vaccine is generally not needed. Please talk to us before booking rather than after — it will save you a wasted appointment.
- A £20 deposit is taken when you book, and comes off the cost of that appointment.
- You will need to complete a risk assessment, back with us at least 48 hours before the appointment. Booking also gives consent for us to see your or your child’s Summary Care Record where the pharmacist needs it.
Who can have the vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for children from 12 months of age, and may also be suitable for older children and adults following a clinical assessment. The pharmacist will assess suitability before vaccinating.
It is generally not required for anyone who has already had chickenpox. The pharmacist will go through the medical history and decide whether vaccination is appropriate.
Vaccination schedule
| Dose | When | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 | From 12 months of age | £90 |
| Dose 2 | 4 to 8 weeks after the first | £90 |
Both doses are recommended for the best level of protection. We book the second one at the end of the first appointment.
How the service works
- Book your appointment online. A £20 deposit is taken, and comes off the cost of the appointment.
- Complete the risk assessment form we email you, at least 48 hours before the appointment.
- On the day, the pharmacist gives the vaccine and books the second dose before you leave.
Access to the Summary Care Record (SCR)
So that the vaccine can be given safely and appropriately, the pharmacist may need to access your or your child’s NHS Summary Care Record.
By booking an appointment you consent to the pharmacy accessing that record where it is required for this service.
If you do not consent, please contact the pharmacy as soon as possible after booking and before the appointment. Without enough clinical information, the pharmacist may not be able to proceed.
Telling your GP
This is a private vaccination service, and we do not routinely notify your GP that the vaccine has been given.
After each dose we give you documentation confirming the vaccine given, the batch number, the date, and the other relevant details. We strongly recommend passing this to your GP so the medical record can be updated.
Cancellation and non-attendance
If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as you can.
- An appointment missed without 24 hours’ notice counts as a non-attendance.
- The £20 deposit is forfeited.
- A new appointment and a new deposit are needed before another can be arranged.
The risk assessment
We email the risk assessment after you book. If it is not completed at least 48 hours before the appointment, it may be postponed or rescheduled — the appointment cannot go ahead without it.
It is your responsibility to make sure everything you tell us is accurate, complete and up to date. If medical circumstances change after you submit the questionnaire, please tell us beforehand.