Chickenpox Vaccinations

Chickenpox is generally a mild but highly infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus that is also responsible for shingles. Most children catch Chicken pox between the ages of two and eight. Like flu, chickenpox spreads through saliva or mucus from the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.

However, chickenpox can be caught by people of any age. Although it is generally a mild disease in the young it can be quite serious in adults.

Although the chickenpox vaccine is now licensed in the UK, it does not form part of a child's routine vaccination programme.

People most likely to benefit from the chickenpox vaccine are those whose immune systems do not work properly, health workers, women who are planning to become pregnant, or children with siblings who might be vulnerable to complications if they catch the virus.

Healthcare Now offers the chickenpox vaccine.

The vaccine is given by injection in the arm. Possible side effects are generally mild and include redness, stiffness, and soreness at the injection site; such localized reactions occur in 19% of children immunized and 24% of adolescents and adults (slightly more following the second dose). A small percentage of persons develop a mild rash, usually around the spot where the shot was given.

For more details
Tel: 0845 521 4500
Email: fife@healthcarenow.co.uk