If you have never had chickenpox and work closely with children, vaccination is worth serious consideration, particularly if your immunity status is unknown. Chickenpox in adults tends to be more severe than in children, and working in a nursery, school, or childminding setting puts you in regular contact with the virus.
In this blog, we will look at why adult chickenpox carries more risk, how the chickenpox vaccine for childcare workers works, how to check your own immunity, and how to get vaccinated quickly and safely.
What Is Chickenpox and Why Does Adult Immunity Matter?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with fluid from the rash. Most people catch it in childhood and develop lifelong immunity afterwards. For adults who missed it the first-time round, immunity matters because the illness, and its complications, become noticeably more serious later in life. This makes chickenpox immunity something adults should not overlook, especially those in caring roles.
Can Adults Catch Chickenpox? Understanding the Risk
Yes, adults can catch chickenpox if they were not exposed to the virus as a child, and the risk is real for anyone working in close contact with young children. Around 90% of adults in the UK have had chickenpox by adulthood, leaving a smaller but still significant group susceptible to infection.
Chickenpox Risk for Adults in the UK
Chickenpox risk for adults in the UK is highest among those who did not grow up here, missed early exposure, or have never been formally tested for immunity. Nurseries, primary schools, and childminding settings are common sites of outbreaks, so unvaccinated staff face repeated exposure throughout the year.
Why Chickenpox Hits Harder in Adulthood
Chickenpox tends to be more severe in adults because the immune response reacts differently to the virus later in life. Adults are more likely to experience:
- Higher fever and more widespread rash
- Bacterial skin infections from scratching
- Pneumonia, which is significantly more common in adults than children
- Longer recovery time and time off work
Why Childcare and Healthcare Workers Face Greater Exposure
Childcare and healthcare workers face greater exposure because their day-to-day roles involve close, sustained contact with children and vulnerable people. This is precisely why chickenpox vaccination for healthcare workers is routinely recommended by occupational health teams, and the same logic applies directly to nursery staff, teaching assistants, and childminders.
The Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
The chickenpox vaccine for childcare workers offers a practical, proactive way to build protection before exposure happens. It is given as two doses, usually four to eight weeks apart, and may be recommended for adults who are not immune and are at increased risk of exposure.
Who Should Consider the Varicella Vaccine?
Anyone working with children who cannot confirm they have had chickenpox, or who tests negative for immunity, should consider the varicella vaccine. This includes:
- Nursery and pre-school staff
- Childminders and nannies
- Teaching assistants and primary school staff
- Healthcare workers in paediatric settings
How Effective Is the Vaccine?
The varicella vaccine is highly effective, with studies showing it prevents chickenpox in the majority of vaccinated adults and significantly reduces severity in the rest. Two doses offer stronger, longer-lasting protection than a single dose.
How to Check Your Chickenpox Immunity
You can check your chickenpox immunity through a simple blood test before deciding whether vaccination is necessary. A varicella immunity test measures antibodies from past infection, so if you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox, this is the sensible first step.
What a Varicella Immunity Test Involves
The test is a straightforward blood sample, typically returning results within a few days. If antibodies are present, you are already immune. If not, vaccination is the recommended next step to reduce your chickenpox risk as an adult.
Protect Yourself Against Chickenpox at Touchwood Pharmacy
Working with children means your health, and theirs, depends on staying protected. At Touchwood Pharmacy, we offer the chickenpox vaccine, with fast appointments and expert advice from our qualified pharmacist team.
Don’t wait for an outbreak to find out where you stand. Book your chickenpox vaccination with Touchwood Pharmacy today and protect yourself, your colleagues, and the children in your care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Can adults catch chickenpox even if they were vaccinated as a child?
It’s rare, but possible. Vaccinated adults can still occasionally catch a mild form of chickenpox, known as breakthrough infection, though symptoms are usually much less severe.
Is the chickenpox vaccine free on the NHS for childcare workers?
The NHS does not routinely offer the chickenpox vaccine to childcare workers, though it is available privately through pharmacies and travel clinics, and some employers fund it as part of occupational health support.
How many doses of the chickenpox vaccine do I need?
You need two doses, usually given four to eight weeks apart, to achieve full and lasting protection.
How soon after vaccination am I protected?
Protection builds over the following weeks, so it is best to complete both doses well before any known exposure, rather than relying on same-week protection.
What happens if I am exposed to chickenpox before I am fully vaccinated?
Speak to a pharmacist or your GP promptly, as post-exposure options may be available depending on your immunity status and how recently you were exposed.
Can I have the chickenpox vaccine if I am pregnant?
No, the chickenpox vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, it’s best to complete vaccinations beforehand and wait a gap before conceiving, as advised by your pharmacist or GP.
