Boots Chickenpox Vaccine Service provides a convenient way to help protect against chickenpox, which is highly contagious and can cause severe illness in some children.
The vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm or thigh and it’s available for children aged 1-12 years old.
What’s more, you can choose from 2 convenient ways to get your child vaccinated:
Visit one of over 600 Boots pharmacies across the UK for an appointment with our trained pharmacists
Book a Boots Chickenpox Vaccine Party for your child’s school or nursery where Boots pharmacists come to you. They bring everything needed and will administer the vaccines on the day.
CHICKENPOX VACCINE
Chickenpox is a common childhood illness that usually causes a mild rash and a slight temperature, but it can be more serious. The chickenpox vaccine can help protect against the disease and it is available to buy at Boots pharmacies today.
Chickenpox is a viral illness caused by the varicella zoster virus. It usually starts with a rash of red spots appearing on the face, scalp or chest. The spots then spread across the body, becoming bigger blisters which eventually burst into scabs. However, some people have very few spots and do not realise they have chickenpox until it has run its course.
Why vaccinate?
The chickenpox vaccine will provide protection for your child against this unpleasant illness and also reduce the risk of catching chickenpox later in life when it can potentially be more severe. Chickenpox is much milder in children than adults and young children normally recover quickly without any complications, but if you do get it as an adult it can potentially be more serious with complications such as pneumonia or meningitis developing. Also, most cases of shingles are caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox – so if your child has been vaccinated against chickenpox they are also less likely to
The chickenpox vaccine is available in the UK. It’s not part of the routine NHS childhood vaccination programme, but it can be given to babies and children as a private prescription.
The chickenpox vaccine is currently only available at selected Boots pharmacies. You’ll need to book an appointment with a Boots pharmacist to discuss the vaccine and complete a Chickenpox Vaccination Consent Form before it can be given.
The chickenpox vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm muscle (deltoid) or thigh muscle of the leg, depending on the age of the child.
If you’re concerned about whether your child might be eligible for the vaccine, you should speak to your GP or health visitor first.
The chickenpox vaccine is now available at Boots pharmacies across the UK.
Chickenpox (also known as varicella) is a highly infectious illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which causes an itchy red rash of spots and blisters. A chickenpox vaccine has been available privately in the UK since 2013 and has been offered on the NHS since September 2013.
The chickenpox vaccine is now available at Boots pharmacies across the UK. The vaccine costs £65 per dose and you will need to have two doses for full protection.
A single dose of chickenpox vaccine provides 95% protection against chickenpox and gives lifelong immunity against shingles.
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for:
people aged 13 years or older who have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated before
people aged 60 years and over who have not had chickenpox before and are at risk of complications from the disease, including people with weakened immune systems, such as those who are pregnant or being treated for cancer, or those whose immune systems are suppressed due to other medical conditions or medication
The chickenpox vaccination is not part of the childhood immunisation programme. However it is available in Boots UK stores at a cost of £150. The chicken pox (varicella) vaccine is indicated for the prevention of chicken pox disease in adolescents and adults without immunity to varicella, who are not pregnant and who have no contraindications to vaccination.
The vaccine can be given to people aged 13 years and over.
The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, and as such cannot be given to people who have a weakened immune system or severe allergies to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, or who are taking certain types of medicines that may affect the immune system (e.g. steroids).
Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is a vaccine that protects against chickenpox. One dose of chickenpox vaccine is about 85% effective at preventing severe disease and it prevents almost all deaths from the disease. Chickenpox vaccine also protects against shingles in those who have been vaccinated. The vaccine is relatively inexpensive with a cost of US$11 to $45 per dose.
The first dose of the chickenpox vaccine is recommended to be given at 12–18 months of age. A second dose is recommended at 4–6 years of age, although if it is given earlier than three months after the first dose it provides no extra benefit. The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first.
Side effects are generally mild consisting mainly of a rash and fever with one in one thousand having a seizure due to fever. The vaccine has not been found to cause any serious side effects or be teratogenic in pregnancy. It can be given safely to those who have a weakened immune system due to other diseases or medication such as chemotherapy and does not increase the risk that they will develop shingles later in life.
The varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox which is characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash
Chickenpox vaccine (Varilrix) is a live attenuated vaccine and is given as an injection into the skin. The chickenpox virus is a live vaccine, which means it contains a small amount of weakened virus that triggers the immune system to produce antibodies against it.
The chickenpox vaccine has been used since around 1995 and has reduced the number of cases of chickenpox in children by over 95% in countries where the vaccine is routinely given to children. The most common side effect from the vaccine is mild symptoms such as a rash or headache for about 1 week after vaccination.
The immunisation takes 2 doses, with the second dose given at least 3 months after the first dose. Chickenpox cannot be caught from someone who has recently had the chickenpox vaccination, however some people may have very mild symptoms after having the varicella vaccination and may not be aware they are infected.
In March 2013, NICE recommended that children should be offered immunisation against chickenpox from age 12 months onwards. This decision was made on cost-effectiveness grounds, as children vaccinated at this age were less likely to need hospital treatment for their infection than those who weren’t vaccinated.
Should I Give my Child the Chickenpox Vaccine?
A common question I’m asked by parents is, “Should I give my child the chickenpox vaccine?”
The short answer is: yes.
Why? Because the chickenpox vaccine is highly effective, and there is a serious risk of complications from chickenpox. Chickenpox can be spread through casual contact, and it can cause skin infections and pneumonia, which can lead to hospitalization and even death. The most common complication of chickenpox is bacterial skin infections in children. Approximately 1 in 25 children with chicken pox will develop a skin infection caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. In addition, about 1 in 50 children will develop pneumonia from varicella-zoster virus (the virus that causes chickenpox). In very rare cases, encephalitis (brain inflammation) may occur as well as shingles later in life.
Chicken pox outbreaks are common in schools, so unvaccinated children are susceptible to getting this disease. They also put others at risk who cannot get vaccinated because they have weakened immune systems due to chronic illnesses or cancer chemotherapy.
The chickenpox vaccine is a great way to prevent your child from getting the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox. It can also help prevent shingles later in life.
The chickenpox vaccine isn’t required for school entry in most states, but it’s recommended for kids who are 12 months or older.
The chickenpox vaccine is about 98% effective at preventing the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox. It’s also about 85% effective at preventing shingles later in life.
The best time to get the vaccine is between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. If your child is between 13 and 18 years old and has never had chickenpox or the vaccine, they should get two doses of the vaccine four to eight weeks apart.
If the chickenpox vaccine isn’t given at these ages — or if you’re not sure whether your child has had it — talk with their pediatrician to see if they should be vaccinated.
Chickenpox (varicella) is a viral infection that most children catch at some point. It causes an itchy, red rash that forms blisters. Most kids recover fully from chickenpox without any complications. But in some cases, the disease may cause serious complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and it can be fatal.
The chickenpox vaccine is very safe, and it’s effective at preventing chickenpox and reducing the severity of the disease if your child does get sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children receive two doses of the chickenpox vaccine — one between ages 12 months and 15 months and another at 4 to 6 years. If your child is older than 6, talk to your doctor about whether the vaccine is right for him or her.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection. It causes an itchy, blister-like rash. Once a person has had chickenpox, they can develop a painful condition called shingles later in life.
Chickenpox vaccine is the best way to protect your child from chickenpox. Before the vaccine was available, about 4 million people got chickenpox each year in the United States. About 10,500 of these people were hospitalized and about 100 to 150 died each year as a result of complications from the disease.
The chickenpox vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing chickenpox and its complications. The vaccine protects about 98 out of every 100 children who get it.
Despite the availability of a vaccine, chickenpox remains a common illness among children. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective.
While most people have at least an 80% chance of developing immunity after one dose, some children may still develop chickenpox even if they have been vaccinated. For those who don’t respond to the first dose, revaccination with a second dose is recommended.
The varicella zoster virus is highly contagious and easily spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Chickenpox can also be transmitted indirectly through contact with contaminated objects or infected blister fluid.
The virus incubates for 10 to 21 days before the onset of symptoms. In children, symptoms may include:
Chickenpox is a very common virus that infects most children, usually before the age of 10. It causes a mild rash and fever that lasts for 5-10 days and goes away without treatment. Because it is so common, the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1995 in an effort to prevent the disease from occurring. Why get vaccinated?
Chickenpox is much more serious in adults and can be life-threatening for people who have a weakened immune system. Getting chickenpox as an adult or as a child with a weakened immune system can also cause complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and bacterial infections of the skin, blood, bones, or joints. The vaccine provides better protection than actually having chickenpox because you can still develop complications despite having had the disease in childhood. Another benefit of vaccination is that it prevents children from spreading chickenpox to other people who may be at risk of developing complications caused by the virus.
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get vaccinated. CDC recommends 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults who have never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated.
Chickenpox can also be prevented by taking an antiviral medicine called varicella zoster immune globulin (VariZIG) if you are exposed to someone with chickenpox or shingles. VariZIG is approved for people who are at high risk for severe disease from exposure to VZV and are not vaccinated or cannot receive the vaccine because of age or health condition.
Can You Get Chicken Pox Vaccine?
The answer is yes. You can get the chicken pox vaccine, but it isn’t the final answer. If you are only getting an allergy shot or a flu shot or some other inoculation, then you will not be vaccinated against chicken pox.
The chicken pox vaccine is an immunization that helps protect people from getting the disease called chicken pox. The vaccine is given in two doses, one month apart, to children 12 months to 12 years of age and one month apart to adults 13 years of age and older. Children are recommended to get the first dose of the chickenpox vaccine at the age of 12 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children who have not had chickenpox get two doses of the vaccine – one dose at 12 to 15 months old, and another dose at 4 to 6 years old. The CDC recommends that all teens and adults who have not had chickenpox get two doses of the vaccine, separated by four to eight weeks.
If you’ve never had chickenpox or received a varicella vaccination, then you should still avoid getting a chicken pox vaccine until your immune system has fully recovered after your last exposure to varicella virus
Yes, you can get vaccinated against chicken pox or shingles. The chicken pox vaccine is not 100% effective and in fact, it only works about 70% to 90% of the time. But if you do contract the virus, your symptoms will be much milder than they would be without the vaccine. And after having the vaccination, you are much less likely to suffer from shingles.
The chicken pox vaccine is given to children between 12 months and 15 months of age as a series of two shots. It is also administered to older children who have never had the disease and adults who have never had it or have never been vaccinated. If you’re pregnant, however, you should avoid getting this vaccine until after you give birth because there is a very small risk of your baby contracting the virus from you.
Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles usually affects adults over 50 years old, but anyone who has ever had chickenpox or been vaccinated for it can get shingles because the virus stays in your body for life. Symptoms include a painful rash on one side of your body or face that blisters up before scabbing over and finally clearing up over several weeks or months.
yes, but chicken pox vaccine is not a cure for chicken pox.
No, you cannot. There is currently no vaccine available for chicken pox. The chicken pox vaccine is a live virus vaccine, not an inactivated vaccine or attenuated vaccine. Like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, it contains weakened but live viruses that can cause disease in people with weak immune systems.
Inactivated vaccines are made from killed viruses or bacteria. They do not cause the infection. Attenuated vaccines are made from weakened viruses or bacteria that can still reproduce but are not strong enough to make you sick.
The chickenpox vaccine is a shot that can help keep you from getting chickenpox. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It spreads very easily from person to person through the air by coughing or sneezing. You can also get it by touching the blisters.
The virus usually first affects your nose, throat and lungs (upper respiratory system). After that, it can affect any part of your body, including your eyes and inside your mouth.
If you get a mild case of chickenpox, you’ll probably feel tired and maybe have a fever for a few days. But if you get a bad case, you could have blisters all over your body for up to 10 days. You might also feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
In rare cases, children with chickenpox can develop pneumonia or other serious problems such as brain damage or even death.
Chickenpox is much worse in adults than it is in children. Adults are more likely to develop serious complications and be hospitalized because of it. In fact, they’re more than 20 times more likely to die from chickenpox than children are.
The varicella vaccine is given to infants and children 12 months old or older. It is a live attenuated vaccine. This means that the virus in the vaccine has been weakened so that it will not cause an illness, but it still allows it to stimulate a protective immune response. As such, some people may have chicken pox after being vaccinated. However, this is generally mild and short-lived.
The varicella vaccine is prepared from cultured VZV from humans and injected into healthy chickens’ eggs. The virus usually does not produce any illness in chickens; however, their cells support growth of the virus, which can be separated from the egg and purified for use in the vaccine later on.
How should the vaccine be administered?
The varicella vaccine should ideally be administered in two doses at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years of age. Infants aged between 6-12 months can also receive a dose if they are travelling to an area where outbreaks are common. The second dose should be given at least 3 months after the first dose.
Chickenpox (varicella) is a common, highly contagious infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It causes an itchy rash with tiny fluid-filled blisters.
You can catch chickenpox from someone with the infection through direct contact or by breathing in droplets from their coughs or sneezes.
The symptoms of chickenpox usually last between five and 10 days. You’re infectious from one to two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over. This usually takes five days after the rash first appeared.
Chickenpox is usually a mild illness that gets better on its own within a week to 10 days. But it can be serious, particularly in babies, adults and people with weakened immune systems.