Chickenpox (also called Varicella Zoster) is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults.
Doses: 2
Cost: £90 per dose
Information: 2 Doses (0, 2 months apart)
If you are unsure which vaccines you require for an upcoming trip IGP provide a travel telephone consultation with a trained practice Nurse to advise on the vaccine requirements for your upcoming travel. During this appointment the Nurse will conduct a detailed assessment and create a schedule of your required vaccinations.
On booking your travel consultation you will receive an email confirming your appointment details with a link to a 'Travel Risk Assessment Form' that we ask you to completed prior to your appointment.
Time: 10 minutes
Cost: £30 (Discounted from the total cost of any future vaccines administered)
Please note that vaccine cost is the cost per dose to have the vaccine with a nurse and not a GP. There is an additional fee of £25 for the vaccine to be administered by a GP. Also, the number of doses required indicates the number of doses for a standard course. For instance, an accelerated course can impact the number of doses required.
The chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person through the air, or by contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters. It causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. It can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or in severe cases death.
The chickenpox vaccine is described as attenuated, which means that it contains a live weakened strain of the actual chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus. The vaccine gives protection against chickenpox, by stimulating the body's immune system to produce its own defence against the virus.
In the UK the vaccine can be given to adults and children over the age of one year. Two doses are given, at least 4 weeks apart. The chickenpox vaccine is not currently part of the routine childhood schedule in the UK, although it is in some other counties. This means that if you are concerned about chickenpox, you will need to arrange to have the vaccine. However, given that the vaccine is a live vaccine and relies on the body's own immune system, it should not be administered to people who are clinically immunosuppressed.
It has been shown that 9 out of 10 children vaccinated with a single dose will develop immunity against chickenpox. A two-dose schedule is now recommended for all, as it gives a better immune response. Three-quarters of teenagers and adults who are vaccinated will develop immunity against chickenpox. Two doses of the vaccine give about 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in teenagers and adults. A small proportion of the population may still get chickenpox after having the vaccine. However, those who receive the vaccine but still get chickenpox, the symptoms will usually be milder. They will have fewer spots, are less likely to have a fever, and will recover faster.
Because the chickenpox vaccine is live, there is a very small risk that someone who has been vaccinated could pass on the virus to someone who is not immune to chickenpox. This is usually only a risk if the person who has been vaccinated develops a chickenpox type rash at the injection site or elsewhere on the body.
It has been shown that 9 out of 10 children vaccinated with a single dose will develop immunity against chickenpox. A two-dose schedule is now recommended for all, as it gives a better immune response. Three-quarters of teenagers and adults who are vaccinated will develop immunity against chickenpox.
The vaccine does not contain thiomersal.
A person who has had Chickenpox can get a painful rash called shingles years later. Find out more about shingles and the shingles vaccine using the link below.
If you cancel your appointment 24 hours before it starts, then you will receive a full refund. However, If you cancel your appointment within the 24-hour period before the appointment is due, then you will be liable to pay the cost of the consultation. If you do need to reschedule please contact us as soon as possible.
We want to ensure that all of our patients receive the information they need to make an informed decision about their healthcare. If you have any questions or if you require assistance with anything, please let us know.
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