Chickenpox vaccine in West Hampstead London Travel Clinic

Chickenpox vaccine in West Hampstead, at a glance

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus. It is usually mild in young children but can be serious in adults, pregnant people and immunocompromised travellers. The vaccine is a live attenuated two-dose course (Varilrix or Varivax), giving around 98% protection after both doses. At Aqua Travel Clinic we offer the full course on a same-week basis to adults, teenagers and children over one year old.

Who needs the chickenpox vaccine?

UKHSA Green Book chapter 34 recommends vaccination for non-immune adults and adolescents, healthcare workers, household contacts of immunocompromised patients, and travellers heading to countries where adult chickenpox is more common or where access to care is limited. We routinely vaccinate travellers heading to the USA (where many states require it for school entry), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China and other destinations with high transmission among unvaccinated adults. Adults who grew up in tropical countries where childhood infection is less common are a key group, as are anyone planning pregnancy who is not already immune.

Schedule and doses

The course is two doses, four to eight weeks apart. Protection begins to develop within about two weeks of the first dose, and the second dose is essential for durable immunity. If you are travelling soon, even a single dose offers meaningful protection, and we will schedule your second dose for completion on your return. Varilrix and Varivax are clinically equivalent and can be used interchangeably if needed.

Destinations and combinations

Chickenpox vaccine pairs well with MMR (which can be given on the same day at a different site, or separated by four weeks if not), and is often given alongside hepatitis A, hepatitis B and other routine travel vaccines. It is not given at the same appointment as yellow fever in most cases, as both are live vaccines; we will plan the timing around your itinerary.

Side effects and contraindications

Side effects are usually mild: a sore arm, low-grade fever, or a small number of chickenpox-like spots a week or two after the dose. Because the vaccine is live, it is not given during pregnancy, to people with significant immune suppression, or to anyone with a confirmed severe allergy to a previous dose or vaccine component. Pregnancy should be avoided for one month after vaccination. Your pharmacist will check your suitability at the appointment.

Book your appointment

Aqua Travel Clinic is at 59 Mill Lane, West Hampstead NW6 1NB, four minutes from West Hampstead station. The clinic is operated by Aqua Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1123406), part of Naspram Pharma Limited. All consultations are supervised by Superintendent Pharmacist Sanjay Mukundkumar Patel (GPhC 2045157). Book a chickenpox appointment online or call us. Most patients are seen the same week.