Private Chickenpox Vaccine in London
Protect your child and family from chickenpox with our private varicella vaccination service at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy in North London (NW3 2PY).
- For children and adults aged 9 months and older who are not fully covered by the NHS programme.
- Two-dose course with Varilrix/Varivax, administered separately from the routine MMR jab.
- Clinic appointments at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy, with optional home visits across North London.
Urgent post-exposure vaccination:
Tap to call the pharmacy now if your child has recently been in contact with chickenpox.
At-a-Glance Protocol
- Minimum Age 9 months and over (suitable for children & adults)
- Required Doses 2 injections (interval depends on age; our clinician will confirm the schedule)
- Clinic Location Hampstead Heath Pharmacy, NW3 2PY
- Home Visits Available across North London (from £100 per visit)
Who should consider the private chickenpox vaccine?
Our private clinic is the perfect solution for families and individuals who fall outside the new NHS rollout, or parents who want to ensure their child has the full, optimal two-dose protection without delay.
Complete the 2-Dose Course
Some children (born between 1 Sep 2022 – 30 Jun 2024) will only receive one NHS dose at 3 years 4 months.
A single private "top-up" dose bridges this gap, providing the recommended two-dose course for optimal, long-term immunity.
Not Covered by the NHS?
The routine NHS programme does not cover anyone born on or before 31 December 2019.
Older children, teenagers, and adults can book a private course with us to effectively reduce their risk of catching chickenpox and experiencing severe symptoms.
Protect Vulnerable Loved Ones
Chickenpox can be highly dangerous for certain groups.
Vaccination is strongly recommended if you live with or frequently visit people at higher risk, such as pregnant women, newborns, or those with weakened immune systems.
Not sure if your child will be offered the NHS chickenpox vaccine?
Scroll down for a simple NHS eligibility table, or email us (include child's date of birth) and we will be happy to advise.
NHS chickenpox (varicella) vaccine – who gets it and when?
From 1 January 2026, the NHS in England is gradually adding the chickenpox vaccine to the routine childhood schedule using the combined MMRV jab (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella).
| Date of birth | NHS offer | Private dose needed? |
|---|---|---|
| On or after 1 Jan 2025 | 2 doses of MMRV at 12 months and 18 months. | Usually no – full 2-dose course provided on the NHS. |
| 1 Jul 2024 – 31 Dec 2024 | MMRV at 18 months and again at 3 years 4 months (replaces the usual MMR). | Usually no – two MMRV doses on the NHS. |
| 1 Sep 2022 – 30 Jun 2024 | Single MMRV dose at 3 years 4 months, instead of the second MMR. | Yes – one private varicella dose is recommended for a complete 2-dose course. |
| 1 Jan 2020 – 31 Aug 2022 | One NHS catch-up MMRV dose between Nov 2026 and March 2028 (if no prior chickenpox/vaccine). | Yes – one private varicella dose can complete the course. |
| On or before 31 Dec 2019 | No routine NHS varicella vaccination (unless in specific clinical risk groups). | Yes – private vaccination is the main option. |
This summary is based on the national NHS varicella (MMRV) programme for England. For the latest official guidance, please see the NHS and UK government information on the varicella vaccination programme:
NHS England varicella (MMRV) vaccination programme →
Prices and how to book
In-pharmacy appointment
£75 per dose
Two-dose course. No separate consultation fee. The number of doses and timing will be confirmed by the clinician after assessing age and medical history.
- Delivered by experienced pharmacists in our Hampstead clinic.
- Electronic record of vaccination and dose reminders.
Important: The chickenpox vaccine can be given on the same day as the MMR jab. If not given on the same day, there must be at least a one-month interval between the two.
Book clinic appointmentHome visit in London
Minimum home visit fee from £100 per visit (plus the cost of vaccines). Ideal for families with young children or those who prefer not to travel.
- Vaccination in the comfort of your own home.
- Available across many London postcodes.
Email us with your postcode, number of people to vaccinate and mobile number for a personalised quote.
Email info@hhpharmacy.co.ukAny deposit paid when booking will be deducted from the total cost of your vaccination, in line with our cancellation policy.
Understanding Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, characterised by a vesicular rash and fever. It spreads easily through personal contact or airborne droplets, with an incubation period of 1–3 weeks.
An infected person is contagious from 1–2 days before the rash appears until all blisters have crusted over. While usually a mild, self-limiting illness in healthy children, it can lead to severe complications (like bacterial skin infections or pneumonia) in adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
How the Vaccine Works & Effectiveness
The private chickenpox vaccine contains a live, weakened form of the virus. It is highly effective, offering approximately 98% protection in children and 75% in teenagers and adults.
Immunity following a full two-dose course is long-lasting. If a vaccinated person does contract the virus, the symptoms are significantly milder, and they are less likely to develop complications or shingles later in life.
Schedule and Intervals
The vaccine is approved for adults and children from 9 months of age. A complete course consists of two doses for optimal protection.
| Age Group | Doses Required | Recommended Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Under 9 months | Vaccine is not administered to this age group. | |
| 9 to 12 months | 2 doses | Minimum interval of 3 months between doses. |
| 12 months to 12 years | 2 doses | Ideally 6 weeks (absolute minimum of 4 weeks). |
| 13+ years (Adolescents & Adults) | 2 doses | Ideally 6 weeks (absolute minimum of 4 weeks). |
Important note on co-administration: The chickenpox vaccine can be given at the same time as the MMR jab. However, if they are not administered on the exact same day, you must wait a minimum of one month between the two vaccines.
Safety, Pregnancy & Special Situations
Safety & Side Effects
The vaccine has an excellent safety profile and is generally very well tolerated. Around 20% of patients experience minor, temporary complaints at the injection site (such as pain, swelling, or redness). Fevers are uncommon.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Because it is a live vaccine, pregnant women must not receive the chickenpox vaccine, and pregnancy should be avoided for one month following the last dose. However, the vaccine virus is not transferred through breast milk, meaning it is perfectly safe for breastfeeding women to be vaccinated.
Vulnerable Household Contacts
We highly recommend vaccinating healthy individuals who live with pregnant women or immunocompromised people. The risk of the unvaccinated child catching "wild-type" chickenpox and bringing it home is a severe threat; by contrast, the risk of transmitting the weakened vaccine virus to household contacts is incredibly rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the private chickenpox (varicella) vaccine in London.
My child only got one NHS chickenpox jab – do they need another dose?
Yes, ideally. If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024, the NHS will only offer them a single dose of the combined MMRV vaccine at 3 years 4 months.
One dose gives good protection, but a full two-dose course is the recommended schedule in many national programmes for stronger, long-term immunity. At Hampstead Heath Pharmacy in North London (NW3), we can provide a single private “top-up” varicella dose to complete their protection. Book a private top-up dose in our London clinic .
My child was just exposed to chickenpox at nursery in London. Is it too late to vaccinate?
No, but time is critical. The chickenpox vaccine can be used as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In unvaccinated household contacts, the chance of catching chickenpox can be over 70%, but timely vaccination reduces this significantly.
- Within 3 days of exposure: The vaccine is around 80% effective at preventing chickenpox.
- Within 3 to 5 days: Effectiveness is around 50%, and it still helps to make any illness milder.
If you or your child have been exposed, please act quickly: book an urgent clinic appointment at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy or call our London clinic on 020 7435 7075 for immediate advice.
My child was born before 2020. Can they get the vaccine on the NHS?
No. The routine NHS chickenpox programme does not cover anyone born on or before 31 December 2019 (unless they fall into a specific, severe clinical risk category).
For these older children, teenagers, and adults, booking a private two-dose course is the only way to get vaccinated and effectively reduce the risk of catching chickenpox or experiencing severe symptoms later in life.
How effective is the chickenpox vaccine and how long does it last?
The chickenpox vaccine is highly effective, offering about 98% protection in children and 75% protection in teenagers and adults. If someone who is vaccinated does catch chickenpox, the symptoms are generally much milder, with fewer spots, a lower fever, and a faster recovery.
Protection after a full two-dose course is long-lasting. Countries that have used the vaccine routinely since 1995 have not yet identified a need for booster doses. Furthermore, receiving the vaccine may actually reduce your risk of developing shingles later in life compared to catching the "wild-type" disease.
Is the combined NHS 4-in-1 MMRV vaccine available privately?
No, the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine is currently only available through the NHS childhood immunisation programme.
However, at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy, we can provide the exact same level of protection privately by administering the standard MMR vaccine alongside a separate varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. These can be given at the same time, or spaced at least one month apart.
How safe is the vaccine and what are the side effects?
The vaccine contains a live, weakened version of the varicella-zoster virus. It has been used globally since 1995 and has an excellent safety profile. It is generally very well tolerated.
Around 20% of patients may experience minor, short-lived reactions at the injection site, such as mild pain, swelling, or redness. Fevers are uncommon. A full medical assessment is always carried out by our Specialist Pharmacist Prescriber prior to vaccination.
Who should NOT have the chickenpox vaccine?
Because it is a live vaccine, it is not suitable for everyone. You should not receive the vaccine if you:
- Are pregnant (and pregnancy should be avoided for one month after the final dose).
- Have a severely weakened immune system.
- Have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or any vaccine component.
Is it safe to vaccinate my child if we live with someone who is pregnant or immunocompromised?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Vaccinating healthy household members helps create a protective shield around vulnerable individuals.
While there is a theoretical, very small risk of transmitting the weakened vaccine virus, the risk of your child catching the actual "wild-type" chickenpox and passing it to a pregnant or immunosuppressed family member is far higher and much more dangerous.
Note: On the rare occasion a vaccine recipient develops a mild rash 7–21 days after the jab, they should avoid close contact with the vulnerable person until the rash resolves.
Can I get the chickenpox vaccine while breastfeeding?
Yes. Studies have shown that the vaccine virus is not transferred to infants through breast milk. Therefore, it is safe for breastfeeding women to receive the varicella vaccine if indicated.
Who is at risk of chickenpox?
Complications of chickenpox
Expert Care You Can Trust
Safe, professional, and fully regulated private immunisations in the heart of Hampstead.
Specialist Pharmacist Prescriber
Our vaccination clinic is led by Mahyar Saremi, a highly experienced Specialist Pharmacist Prescriber dedicated to providing gentle, anxiety-free immunisations for children and adults.
Highly Rated by Parents
"Incredibly professional and reassuring. Made my child feel completely at ease during their vaccination. Cannot recommend Mahyar and the team enough."
Fast & Flexible Access
We know fitting medical appointments around work and childcare is tough. We offer flexible online booking for our NW3 clinic, as well as dedicated home visits across the local area.
Ready to book?
Secure your private chickenpox vaccination clinic appointment using our portal below.
Need a home visit instead? Email our team directly.
Important Note: The deposit paid at the time of booking is not an extra fee. It will be fully deducted from the total service cost when you visit us, provided you adhere to our cancellation policy.
✓ Medically Reviewed
Mahyar Saremi, Superintendent Pharmacist Prescriber
GPhC Registration: 2069409
Last reviewed: February 2026 | Next review due: February 2027