Madison Clarke
Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. In the United Kingdom, the chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. However, it is available privately and offered on the NHS in specific cases, such as for close contacts of someone vulnerable to severe chickenpox. The UK is considering implementing a universal chickenpox vaccination programme, with a potential launch date of 1st January 2026. There are two types of chickenpox vaccines given in the UK, Varilrix and Varivax, which are live viral vaccines. These vaccines are administered as injections and two doses are required, 4 to 8 weeks apart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox vaccine availability in the UK | Available privately and on the NHS in specific cases |
| Chickenpox vaccine types in the UK | Varilrix and Varivax |
| Chickenpox vaccine administration | Injection into the arm |
| Number of doses | 2 doses, 4 to 8 weeks apart |
| Chickenpox vaccine side effects | Mild chickenpox rash, fever, pain at the site of injection |
| Chickenpox vaccine effectiveness | 98% protection in children, 75% protection in adults |
| Chickenpox vaccine and MMR vaccine | Can be administered on the same day |
| Chickenpox vaccine and pregnancy | Not recommended during pregnancy |
| Chickenpox vaccine and weakened immune system | Not recommended for people with a weakened immune system |
| Chickenpox vaccine and serious allergic reaction | Not recommended for people who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose |
| Chickenpox vaccine and MMR vaccine interval | Wait at least 4 weeks between the vaccines if not administered on the same day |
| Chickenpox vaccine and illness | Wait until you're feeling better before getting the vaccine |
| Chickenpox vaccine and shingles | May increase the incidence of shingles in adults |
| Chickenpox vaccine and cost-effectiveness | May reduce the economic burden of GP visits, hospital admissions, and missed workdays |
| Chickenpox vaccine and routine schedule | Not currently part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK |
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What You'll Learn
The UK's targeted recommendations for the vaccine
The UK has not introduced a universal chickenpox vaccination programme. Instead, it has targeted recommendations for the vaccine, which is available privately and offered on the NHS in specific cases. The NHS recommends the chickenpox vaccine for those in close contact with someone who has a higher risk of severe illness from chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia or an adult undergoing chemotherapy. It is also suggested for healthcare workers who haven't had chickenpox before and are at risk of exposure.
The UK's targeted approach is due to concerns about the cost-effectiveness of universal vaccination. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has expressed worry that routine childhood vaccination could lead to more cases of chickenpox in adults, when the illness is more severe and may cause complications. Additionally, there are concerns about an increase in shingles cases in older adults if they are no longer exposed to chickenpox through their children and grandchildren, boosting their immunity.
The UK is monitoring the impact of vaccination programmes in other countries, such as the US and Japan, before making a final policy decision. A routine chickenpox vaccination programme is under consideration for launch in January 2026.
While the UK does not currently have a universal programme, the chickenpox vaccine is available for those who choose to pay for it privately. Two types of vaccines are given in the UK: Varilrix and Varivax. The vaccine is administered as an injection into the arm, with two doses required, four to eight weeks apart. It is a live vaccine, containing a weakened version of the chickenpox virus, and is generally safe and effective at preventing severe disease.
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Chickenpox vaccine availability on the NHS
In the United Kingdom, the chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. However, it is available privately and offered on the NHS in specific cases. The NHS will provide the chickenpox vaccine to those in close contact with someone who has a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia or an adult undergoing chemotherapy. It is also recommended for healthcare workers who have not had chickenpox before.
There are two types of chickenpox vaccines available in the UK: Varilrix and Varivax. The Varilrix vaccine is approved for those aged 12 months and above, but only for those at high risk. The Varivax vaccine is available in the US and was first licensed for use by Merck in 1995. The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus. As such, it is not recommended for those with weakened immune systems, those who have recently had the MMR vaccine or are due to have it, and those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
The chickenpox vaccine is effective at preventing severe cases of chickenpox. One dose of the vaccine prevents 95% of moderate cases and 100% of severe cases. Two doses are more effective than one, providing 98% protection in children and 75% in adults. The vaccine has been shown to be safe, with severe allergic reactions being very rare.
While the chickenpox vaccine is not currently part of the routine schedule in the UK, there is a push for its inclusion. In November 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that a universal chickenpox vaccination programme be included in the UK routine schedule. The introduction of such a programme is under consideration for January 2026. Many UK paediatricians agree with the inclusion of the vaccine in the routine schedule and have even vaccinated their own children. However, there is still a significant proportion who disagree.
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The chickenpox vaccine's effectiveness
The chickenpox vaccine is safe and effective at protecting against chickenpox. Vaccines can have side effects, but these are usually mild and go away on their own. Two doses of the vaccine are about 90% effective at preventing chickenpox. In the United States, there has been a 97% decrease in chickenpox cases since the vaccination program began. Hospitalisations and deaths have become rare.
The chickenpox vaccine is a live viral vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus. It is given as an injection into the arm. Two doses are recommended, with the second dose given at least three months after the first. The vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine.
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for people who are at high risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox, including children with leukaemia and adults having chemotherapy. It is also recommended for healthcare workers who are at risk of exposure to chickenpox. In the United Kingdom, the Varilrix vaccine is approved for use in people aged 12 months and older who are in an at-risk group.
The chickenpox vaccine is effective in preventing severe chickenpox. One dose of the vaccine prevents 95% of moderate disease and 100% of severe disease. Two doses of the vaccine are more effective than one, providing around 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in adults. Vaccinated people who do get chickenpox typically experience milder symptoms, such as fewer to no blisters and low or no fever.
While the chickenpox vaccine is effective, it is not used in all countries. In the United Kingdom, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has concluded that it would not be cost-effective to immunise children against chickenpox. This is because the vaccination programme could lead to an increase in the rate of shingles in adults, as they would no longer have their immunity boosted by exposure to children with chickenpox. However, the JCVI is currently reviewing the latest information on the impact of the chickenpox vaccine and will advise the government on any changes to the current recommendations.
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Side effects of the chickenpox vaccine
The chickenpox vaccine is available in the United Kingdom, but it is not part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. It is only available on the NHS to people in close contact with someone who has a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for susceptible healthcare workers at risk of varicella exposure.
The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus. As such, it is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems due to illness or treatment, those who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or ingredient in the vaccine, or those who have had the MMR vaccine in the previous four weeks or are due to have it in the next four weeks. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant within one month are also advised against taking the vaccine.
Most side effects of the chickenpox vaccine are mild and do not last long. Minor side effects may include pain at the site of injection, fever, and rash. About 5% of children who are vaccinated develop a mild chickenpox rash after vaccination, and fever can occur, especially with the MMRV vaccine. Some children who are susceptible to "febrile fits" may have a seizure with these fevers.
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare, occurring in about one in a million vaccinated people. The person administering the vaccine will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. If you are a healthcare worker and you feel unwell or get a rash after receiving the chickenpox vaccine, you should inform your employer and avoid contact with patients until you feel better and the rash has scabbed over.
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The chickenpox vaccine's impact on shingles
Chickenpox is a routine childhood illness in the United Kingdom, where vaccination is not currently undertaken. The UK has two types of chickenpox vaccine: Varilrix and Varivax. However, the vaccine is only available on the NHS to those in close contact with someone who has a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox. It is also recommended for susceptible healthcare workers at risk of varicella exposure. This is because the vaccine is assessed for its cost-effectiveness to ensure that the health budget is spent on services that provide the greatest health benefit for the population as a whole.
The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened version of the varicella-zoster virus. It is highly effective at preventing severe disease, with one dose preventing 95% of moderate disease and 100% of severe disease. Two doses are more effective than one, providing around 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in adults. The vaccine is generally safe, with severe side effects being rare and occurring mostly in those with poor immune function.
Shingles is a disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can occur when immunity wanes over time. After a natural infection, the virus becomes dormant, hiding in the nerves near the spinal cord. Usually, the immune system is "boosted" when the person comes into contact with someone (usually a child) with chickenpox, which helps keep the virus dormant. However, if immunity wanes and the person does not have these regular boosts, they become more susceptible to the virus reactivating and causing shingles.
The introduction of a routine childhood chickenpox vaccination could reduce the boosting effect, leading to an increase in shingles cases in adults. This is because adults who experienced chickenpox as a child would be less likely to be re-exposed to the virus and have their immunity boosted. Mathematical models predict that shingles in the unvaccinated population could initially increase by 30-50% if childhood vaccination rates were high, with one study predicting a near doubling of shingles cases in the wider population. This effect is expected to be temporary and predominantly seen in younger adults, who are less likely to develop serious shingles symptoms.
Currently, the UK is waiting to see the long-term effects of childhood chickenpox vaccination in other countries before making a decision on whether to introduce a routine vaccination programme. In the meantime, a shingles vaccine is used in the UK for older adults (over 70 years) to improve immunity, suppress the virus, and prevent shingles.
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Frequently asked questions
The chickenpox vaccine is available in the UK, but it is not part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. It is available privately and offered on the NHS in specific cases, such as for close contacts of someone who is vulnerable to severe chickenpox.
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for close contacts of someone who is vulnerable to severe chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia, and for healthcare workers who haven't had chickenpox before. It is also recommended for susceptible individuals over the age of 12 and younger contacts of high-risk subjects.
There are two types of chickenpox vaccines given in the UK: Varilrix and Varivax. Varilrix is a live viral vaccine approved for those aged 12 months and older who are at risk. Varivax is the brand name under which the vaccine was first licensed for use in the US in 1995.
Minor side effects may include pain at the site of injection, fever, and rash. Severe side effects are rare but may include a severe allergic reaction, particularly in those with poor immune function.
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