Two-dose protection against varicella (chickenpox) for adults and children who haven’t had the disease. Especially recommended for non-immune adults, healthcare workers, household contacts of immunocompromised patients, and travellers to regions where chickenpox is common in adulthood.
NHS only offers chickenpox vaccine to specific risk groups. Private vaccination is the route for everyone else. Suitable from age 12 months. Especially valuable for non-immune adults.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral illness caused by varicella-zoster virus. In children it’s usually mild — fever, an itchy blistering rash, malaise — but in adults it can be severe, with up to 25× the hospitalisation risk and rare but serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis.
Who needs it?
Anyone who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated. Particularly important for non-immune adults, healthcare workers, women planning pregnancy, household contacts of immunocompromised patients, and travellers to regions where chickenpox circulates in adulthood.
How well does it work?
Two doses give over 95% protection against any form of chickenpox and over 99% protection against severe disease. Immunity is long-lasting — boosters are not routinely recommended.
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms of chickenpox.
Onset 10–21 days after exposure. Adults often have more severe symptoms than children.
Fever
Usually the first sign.
Itchy blistering rash
Starts on trunk, spreads to face/limbs.
Headache & malaise
General feeling of being unwell.
Loss of appetite
With nausea in some cases.
Pneumonia
Rare but serious — especially in adults.
Encephalitis
Very rare brain inflammation.
Bacterial superinfection
Skin or soft tissue from scratching.
Eligibility checklist
You should book chickenpox vaccine if…
You have never had chickenpox or have unknown immunity (blood test available).
You are a healthcare worker or in close contact with immunocompromised people.
You are planning pregnancy and your immunity is unknown.
You are travelling to a region where chickenpox circulates in adulthood.
Your child is aged 12 months+ and you want private vaccination.
Not suitable during pregnancy (live-attenuated vaccine). Severe immunocompromise or severe allergy to a previous dose excludes. Mild illness — defer by a few days.
No — natural infection gives lifelong immunity in nearly everyone. If you’re unsure (no clear childhood history), a blood test can confirm immunity. We can advise on the day.
JCVI is reviewing universal childhood vaccination in the UK. As of 2026 it remains targeted to specific groups (non-immune healthcare workers, household contacts of immunocompromised patients) — outside those groups, private is the route.