Most people in the UK had chickenpox as kids and thought nothing of it. Itchy, miserable for a week, then done. But for adults who have never had it, and for parents trying to protect children who haven’t been exposed yet, the question of vaccination comes up more often than you’d expect.
Here’s the thing: the chickenpox vaccine isn’t on the NHS routine schedule for most people. That surprises a lot of families. It means you need a private appointment, which raises the obvious follow-up questions about cost, side effects, and where to actually go. This article covers all of it.
Is The Chickenpox Vaccine Available On The NHS?
Yes, but only for a narrow group of people.
The NHS offers the vaccine free to children who are in close contact with immunocompromised household members, healthcare workers who have no history of chickenpox, and a few other specific clinical cases.
For most parents who simply want to protect their children, and for adults who’ve never had chickenpox, it’s private. That’s just the current NHS position in the UK, and it’s unlikely to change soon.
Who Should Get The Chickenpox Vaccine?
The vaccine is recommended for:
- Children, teenagers, and adults who have never had chickenpox
- People travelling to high-risk areas (more on that below)
- Healthcare workers without confirmed immunity
- Anyone with regular contact with vulnerable or immunocompromised people
It’s not recommended for pregnant women, people who are breastfeeding, those with a weakened immune system, or anyone with a history of allergic reactions to vaccine components. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, your pharmacist can advise before you book.
A note on adults: chickenpox tends to hit harder the older you get. Complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and secondary bacterial infections are more common in adults than in children. If you’ve never had it and you’re over 18, getting vaccinated is genuinely worth considering, not just for your own protection but for the people around you.
Chickenpox Vaccine Cost In The Uk
At Pharmacy M, pricing is straightforward:
| Age | Doses Required | Price Per Dose | Total Course |
| 1 to 12 years | 2 doses | £60 | £120 |
| 13 and over | 2 doses | £70 | £140 |
Both age groups need two doses, so the full course is what gives you solid, long-term protection. Some clinics only quote a per-dose price upfront, so it’s worth checking the total cost before booking anywhere.
If you’re comparing this with other private prescription services or clinical costs, the chickenpox vaccine is a one-time course with no ongoing expense.
Dosage Schedule: When To Get Each Dose
The timing depends on age.
For children under 13:
- First dose at 12 to 15 months
- Second dose at 4 to 6 years
For anyone 13 and over:
- Two doses, spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart
Missing the second dose is one of the more common mistakes. Both doses matter. One dose gives partial protection; two doses give substantially better immunity. If your child had their first dose elsewhere, you can still book the second at Pharmacy M.
Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and pass within a day or two:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Mild rash (in some cases)
- Low-grade fever
Serious side effects are uncommon. Allergic reactions and febrile seizures can occur but are rare. If you or your child experiences anything unusual after vaccination, seek medical advice promptly.
The pharmacists at Pharmacy M will talk you through any concerns before and after the appointment. That’s part of the consultation, not an add-on.
Does The Chickenpox Vaccine Prevent Shingles Too?
This one comes up a lot, and the answer is: it lowers the risk.
Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nervous system and can reactivate later in life as shingles. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of this happening, though it’s not a guarantee.
If shingles is a concern for you or someone in your family, particularly for older adults, Pharmacy M also offers the shingles vaccine, which is specifically designed to address reactivation risk.
Chickenpox Vaccine And Travel
This is where things get more relevant for a specific group of travellers. Several countries still have significant chickenpox circulation because the vaccine isn’t part of their routine childhood programme.
High-risk destinations include:
Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines
Africa: Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana
Europe: Spain, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Estonia
If you’re travelling to any of these places and haven’t had chickenpox, vaccination before departure is sensible. It’s also worth thinking about this in the context of your wider travel health preparation.
A comprehensive travel health consultation will cover not just chickenpox but all the relevant vaccines for your destination, from typhoid and hepatitis A to more destination-specific risks. Pharmacy M’s holiday healthcare and travel vaccination service handles the full picture in a single appointment, including same-day vaccinations when you’re booking at short notice.
If you want to read more about which travel vaccines are relevant for your destination, the complete guide to UK travel vaccinations is a useful starting point. And if you’re local to South Yorkshire, the travel vaccination options near Mexborough page covers what’s available close to home.
For those weighing up the NHS versus private route for travel vaccines, this NHS vs private travel vaccinations comparison is worth a read before you book.
Where To Get The Chickenpox Vaccine Near You
If you’re looking for the chickenpox vaccine near you in the UK, the key is finding a registered pharmacy with an accredited pharmacist on site. Not every pharmacy offers it, and not every clinic is straightforward about pricing.
Pharmacy M is located at 14 Adwick Road, Mexborough, S64 0DB. Appointments are available online, and walk-ins are welcome. The GPhC registration number is 9012541, and the superintendent pharmacist is Mohammad Mujtaba Ahmed.
Need To Travel Anytime soon?
You can book your chickenpox vaccination appointment online, or call 01709 252669 to check availability.
A Few Questions We Hear Often
Can adults get the chickenpox vaccine if they’ve never had it?
Yes. If you’ve never had chickenpox and haven’t been vaccinated, you can get the full two-dose course at any age from 1 year upwards.
What if my child only had one dose elsewhere?
You can complete the second dose at Pharmacy M. Just bring any records you have from the first dose if possible.
Can I get the chickenpox vaccine on the same day as other vaccines?
In most cases, yes. Your pharmacist will confirm which combinations are appropriate at your consultation. If you’re also preparing for travel, multiple vaccines can often be given in the same appointment.
Is the vaccine effective long-term?
Studies suggest strong protection lasting many years, with two doses giving significantly better long-term immunity than one. Boosters are not typically required.
Do I need it if I’m not sure whether I’ve had chickenpox before?
A blood test can confirm immunity if you’re uncertain. Your pharmacist can advise whether testing first makes sense in your situation, or whether vaccinating without testing is the simpler route.
Anything Else Worth Knowing?
If you have questions that aren’t covered above, Pharmacy M also provides NHS Pharmacy First consultations for a range of minor conditions, as well as emergency medication supply for situations where you need support quickly.
The contact page has all the details for phone, in-person, and online enquiries.
