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Quick Answer The chickenpox injection (varicella vaccine) is a safe and highly effective private vaccination available at Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton, London. It is recommended for children who have not had chickenpox and for unvaccinated adults in certain at-risk groups. Two doses are required for full protection, and no GP referral is needed to book. |
If you are looking to get a chickenpox injection in London for yourself or your child, Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton, Hackney offers the varicella vaccine privately with no GP referral required. Our experienced pharmacists provide a thorough pre-vaccination consultation and administer the vaccine in a safe, professional, and welcoming environment. Whether you are a parent wanting to protect your child before they start school, an adult who has never had chickenpox, or a healthcare worker needing proof of immunity, Murray’s makes the process simple, fast, and convenient. Book your chickenpox vaccination appointment at Murray’s Pharmacy today.
Key Takeaways
- –>Private vaccination available: The chickenpox injection is available privately at Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton with no NHS waiting list or GP referral needed.
- –>Two doses required: Full protection requires two doses of the varicella vaccine, given at least four to eight weeks apart.
- –>Highly effective: The chickenpox vaccine is around 90% effective at preventing the disease entirely, with vaccinated individuals who do catch it experiencing much milder symptoms.
- –>Suitable for children and adults: The vaccine is recommended for children from 12 months of age and for unvaccinated adults who have not had chickenpox.
- –>Linked to shingles prevention: Getting vaccinated against chickenpox in childhood reduces the lifetime risk of developing shingles later in life.
- –>Expert guidance included: Every vaccination at Murray’s includes a pre-vaccination health consultation with one of our qualified pharmacists.
What Is Chickenpox and How Does the Virus Spread?
Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is one of the most contagious viral infections in circulation. It spreads easily through direct contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters, as well as through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Before vaccination became available, virtually everyone contracted chickenpox at some point during childhood.
While chickenpox is commonly thought of as a mild childhood illness, this characterisation significantly underestimates the burden it places on families and the healthcare system, and the genuine risk it poses to certain groups. Each year in the UK, chickenpox leads to thousands of GP appointments and hospital admissions. In adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems, the virus can cause severe and potentially life-threatening complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and serious bacterial skin infections.
The virus does not leave the body after the initial infection. Instead, it lies dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate decades later as shingles, a painful and debilitating condition affecting roughly one in three people during their lifetime. This is why protecting against chickenpox in the first place carries benefits that extend well beyond childhood, including reducing the long-term risk of shingles reactivation later in life.
Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Available on the NHS?
This is one of the most common questions our team receives. Unlike many other countries, the UK does not currently include the chickenpox vaccine in the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. The NHS chickenpox vaccine guidance confirms that the vaccine is offered on the NHS only to people in specific circumstances, primarily to those who are in close contact with someone who is immunocompromised and at serious risk from chickenpox.
For the vast majority of children and adults who want the protection of the chickenpox injection, private vaccination is the route. At Murray’s Pharmacy, we make private vaccination accessible, professional, and straightforward. You do not need a referral, you do not need to navigate a waiting list, and you can usually get an appointment within the same week.
Who Should Consider the Chickenpox Injection?
The chickenpox vaccine is appropriate for a wide range of individuals. Below is an overview of the key groups who benefit most from vaccination:
| Group | Reason for Vaccination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Children aged 12 months and over | Prevention of chickenpox and associated complications | Two doses required, at least 4 weeks apart |
| Unvaccinated adults with no history of chickenpox | Adults are at higher risk of severe illness than children | Two doses required, at least 8 weeks apart |
| Healthcare and childcare workers | Reduces risk of transmitting the virus to vulnerable patients or children | Many employers in these sectors require proof of immunity |
| Women planning a pregnancy | Chickenpox in pregnancy carries serious risks for mother and baby | Each dose requires a four-week gap before conception; complete the full course well in advance of trying to conceive |
| Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals | Protects vulnerable household or family members from exposure | May be available on the NHS in this specific circumstance |
| Travellers to countries with higher chickenpox exposure | Reduces risk of contracting the virus in settings with less herd immunity | Particularly relevant for those travelling with young unvaccinated children |
Not sure whether you or your child needs the chickenpox vaccine? Our pharmacists are happy to discuss your situation and help you make an informed decision.
Understanding the Two-Dose Schedule
The chickenpox vaccine is not a single-dose vaccination. To achieve the highest level of protection, two doses are required. For children, the two doses are typically given at least four weeks apart. For adults receiving the vaccine for the first time, the recommended interval between doses is at least eight weeks.
It is important not to skip the second dose. Studies consistently show that two doses of the varicella vaccine provide significantly higher and longer-lasting protection than a single dose alone. Around 78% of people are fully protected after one dose, rising to approximately 90% or more after the full two-dose course, though efficacy figures vary by study and age group. Our pharmacists will advise you on the correct schedule for your age group at the time of your first appointment and help you book the second dose before you leave.
Chickenpox in Pregnancy: Why Vaccination Before Conception Matters
Chickenpox during pregnancy is a serious matter. If a woman contracts the virus during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, there is a small but significant risk of foetal varicella syndrome, a condition that can cause scarring, eye defects, limb abnormalities, and neurological damage in the baby. Chickenpox contracted close to delivery also carries a risk of severe neonatal infection.
For this reason, we strongly recommend that women who have not had chickenpox and are planning a pregnancy discuss vaccination with our team as early as possible. The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine and cannot be given during pregnancy itself. As each dose requires a four-week gap before conception and two doses are needed, it is important to complete the full course well in advance of trying to conceive. If you are already pregnant and have not had chickenpox, please speak to your midwife or GP immediately rather than attending for vaccination.
Chickenpox and Its Link to Shingles Later in Life
One aspect of the chickenpox injection that is less well understood by many people is the long-term benefit it offers in terms of shingles prevention. After a chickenpox infection, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. At any point later in life, usually triggered by a weakening of the immune system due to age, stress, or illness, the virus can reactivate as shingles.
Shingles causes an intensely painful rash, typically appearing as a band or stripe across one side of the body. Post-herpetic neuralgia, the nerve pain that can persist for months or years after the shingles rash has resolved, affects a significant proportion of those who develop the condition and can be seriously debilitating. By preventing the initial chickenpox infection through vaccination, the risk of the virus ever lying dormant in the nervous system is eliminated. For adults who have already had chickenpox, a separate shingles vaccine is available. You can read more about this in our guide to the shingles vaccine in the UK.
What to Expect at Your Chickenpox Vaccination Appointment at Murray’s
Arriving for your chickenpox injection at Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton is a straightforward experience. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish:
When you arrive, one of our trained pharmacists will carry out a brief pre-vaccination health check. This involves reviewing your medical history, any current medications, and confirming you have no contraindications to a live vaccine. Because the varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, it is not suitable for people who are pregnant, severely immunocompromised, or who have a known severe allergy to any component of the vaccine.
Once cleared, the injection is given into the upper arm or thigh, depending on age. The procedure itself takes only a matter of seconds. You will be asked to remain at the pharmacy for a short period after vaccination so our team can confirm you have no immediate adverse reaction. Side effects are generally mild and may include a sore arm, mild fever, or a small localised rash at the injection site. A mild chickenpox-like rash can occasionally develop within a few weeks of vaccination. Transmission of the vaccine strain is theoretically possible but extremely rare; your pharmacist will advise on any precautions if a rash develops.
Your pharmacist will also book your second dose appointment before you leave and provide clear written aftercare guidance to take home with you.
Travelling Abroad and Chickenpox: What You Need to Know
Chickenpox vaccination requirements and schedules differ significantly around the world. In countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and across much of Europe, the varicella vaccine has been part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule for many years. This means that in these countries, herd immunity levels are high and the risk of exposure is reduced. In the UK, where routine childhood vaccination is not currently offered, community immunity levels remain lower.
If you are travelling with an unvaccinated child to a country where they may be mixing with children who have been vaccinated and therefore have lower levels of natural immunity in the community, vaccination before travel is worth discussing with our team. Our travel clinic serving Shoreditch and the surrounding area can help you plan your full pre-travel vaccination schedule. As part of a broader travel health preparation, you may also want to explore what other vaccinations are relevant for your destination. For example, for certain tropical destinations, the chikungunya vaccine in London is something our travel health team can advise on alongside other trip-specific requirements.
Can Adults Get the Chickenpox Injection?
Absolutely. In fact, adults who have never had chickenpox and have never been vaccinated are at a higher risk of severe illness than children if they contract the virus. Adult chickenpox is more likely to lead to complications including pneumonia, skin infections, and hospitalisation. Many adults in the UK are unsure of their immunity status, particularly if they grew up in a household where not everyone caught chickenpox at the same time.
A blood test can be used to check varicella immunity before vaccination if you are uncertain about your history. Our team can advise on whether this is appropriate in your case, or whether it is simpler to proceed directly with vaccination. The two-dose course for adults is given at least eight weeks apart, and the protection it provides is long-lasting.
Who Should Not Have the Chickenpox Vaccine?
As a live attenuated vaccine, the chickenpox injection is not appropriate for everyone. The following groups should not receive the varicella vaccine without specialist medical advice:
- –>Pregnant women: The vaccine must not be given during pregnancy. Women should avoid becoming pregnant for at least four weeks after each dose.
- –>People who are severely immunocompromised: Including those receiving chemotherapy, high-dose steroids, or biological therapies, or those living with conditions that significantly affect immune function.
- –>Those with a known allergy to any vaccine component: Including neomycin or gelatin, which are present in some formulations of the varicella vaccine.
- –>People currently unwell with a high fever: Vaccination should be postponed until recovery.
If you are unsure whether the chickenpox vaccine is suitable for you or your child, our pharmacists will carry out a full assessment at the time of booking or during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question below to reveal the answer.
How much does the chickenpox injection cost at Murray’s Pharmacy?
The chickenpox vaccine is available privately at Murray’s Pharmacy. Please contact us or check our bookings page for current pricing. Remember that two doses are required for full protection, so you will need to factor in the cost of both appointments.
At what age can children receive the chickenpox vaccine?
The varicella vaccine can be given to children from 12 months of age. Two doses are recommended, given at least four weeks apart. Our pharmacists will advise on the optimal timing based on your child’s age at the time of their first appointment.
My child has already had chickenpox. Do they still need the vaccine?
A confirmed history of chickenpox generally provides strong natural immunity, and vaccination is not routinely recommended for those who have already had the disease. If there is any doubt about whether your child’s illness was definitely chickenpox, a blood test can confirm their immunity status. Our pharmacists can advise you on this during a consultation.
Can the chickenpox vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?
The chickenpox vaccine can be given at the same time as most other vaccines, including the MMR vaccine. However, if it cannot be given on the same day as another live vaccine, a gap of at least four weeks is required between the two. Your pharmacist will advise on the correct schedule based on any other vaccinations your child or you may be having.
Is the chickenpox vaccine safe?
Yes. The varicella vaccine has an excellent safety record and has been used globally for decades. The most common side effects are mild soreness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, and occasionally a mild rash. Serious adverse reactions are extremely rare. Your pharmacist will discuss the full benefit-risk profile with you before vaccination.
How do I book the chickenpox injection at Murray’s Pharmacy in London?
You can book online via our website or call us on 020 7253 9859. We offer flexible appointment times to suit your schedule, with same-week availability in most cases.
Protect Your Family With the Chickenpox Injection at Murray’s Pharmacy, Hoxton
Chickenpox may be widely considered a routine childhood illness, but the reality is that it carries genuine risks, particularly for adults, pregnant women, and anyone with a compromised immune system. The chickenpox injection is a safe, highly effective, and long-lasting way to protect yourself and your children, while also reducing the lifetime risk of developing shingles. At Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton, we make private chickenpox vaccination accessible, professional, and completely hassle-free. No GP referral is needed, same-week appointments are regularly available, and our experienced pharmacists are with you every step of the way.
Do not wait for an outbreak in your child’s school or nursery to start thinking about protection. Book your chickenpox injection at Murray’s Pharmacy today.
