Teachers, teaching assistants, childcare workers, nursery staff, and others who spend their working days alongside young children face a higher risk of chickenpox exposure than most adults. Children are the primary source of varicella-zoster virus in the community, and adults who have never had chickenpox and have not been vaccinated are at genuine risk of a more serious illness than any child they might catch it from. The chickenpox vaccine for adults is a straightforward, evidence-based way to close that gap, and in many cases it is available quickly and without the need for a GP referral.
Why Is Chickenpox a Greater Risk for Adults Who Work With Children?
Chickenpox spreads easily through the air and through direct contact with an active rash. Children, particularly those in nursery and primary school settings, pass the virus around frequently, and many are still infectious before the rash has fully appeared, making it difficult for adults nearby to avoid exposure.
Whilst most children recover from chickenpox within a week or two with mild symptoms, chickenpox in adults who have no prior immunity tends to follow a more severe course. Adults are at greater risk of:
- Chickenpox pneumonia, a potentially serious complication that is more common in adults than children
- Bacterial skin infections as a result of the heavier, more widespread rash typical in adults
- Encephalitis, a rare but more frequent complication in adults
- A prolonged illness that may require time off work, with all the professional disruption that brings
For pregnant women working in childcare or education who have no immunity, the risk extends further still. Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause foetal varicella syndrome in early pregnancy and poses significant risk to the newborn if infection occurs around the time of delivery.
Does the Chickenpox Vaccine Exist in the UK?
Yes. The varicella vaccine for adults is available in the UK, most commonly as Varilrix or Varivax. It is a live attenuated vaccine given as two separate injections, typically four to eight weeks apart, into the upper arm or thigh.
The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation programme in England, though it is recommended in Scotland and Wales. For adults, NHS provision is targeted at specific groups, meaning a private chickenpox vaccine is the most accessible route for most adults who work with children.
Who Qualifies for the NHS Chickenpox Vaccine and Who Needs to Go Private?
| Who | NHS Chickenpox Vaccine? | Private Option? |
| Adults with no prior immunity who are household contacts of immunocompromised individuals | Yes — via GP | Also available privately |
| Non-immune healthcare workers in direct patient contact | Yes — via occupational health or GP in some settings | Available privately where NHS route is unavailable |
| Teachers, teaching assistants, and childcare workers | Not routinely available on NHS | Yes — widely available privately |
| Parents or carers of children with no record of vaccination | Not routinely available on NHS for adults | Yes — available privately |
| Non-immune adults planning a pregnancy | Not routinely available on NHS | Yes — recommended before conception |
Note: NHS eligibility may vary by GP practice and local commissioning arrangements. Confirm current provision with your GP before accessing private vaccination.
Is There a Chickenpox Vaccine for Children?
The chickenpox vaccine for children exists and is offered as part of the routine immunisation schedule in Scotland and Wales. In England, it is not currently included in the NHS childhood programme, meaning many children are not routinely vaccinated against it.
This is directly relevant for adults working in childcare and education in England: because routine child chickenpox vaccination is not happening in schools and nurseries across the country, children continue to circulate the virus regularly in those settings. Adults without immunity are therefore exposed in a way that would not occur in a country where the child chickenpox vaccine was part of the universal schedule.
If you are a parent who wishes to vaccinate your child privately, a private varicella vaccine is available for children from nine months of age. Your pharmacist can advise on age-appropriate dosing and scheduling.
How Do You Know If You Are Immune to Chickenpox?
If you had a confirmed case of chickenpox in childhood, you are very likely to be immune, though immunity can be incomplete following a very mild or atypical infection. If you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox, there are two approaches:
- A blood test (varicella IgG antibody test) through your GP or a private clinic can confirm whether you have immunity. This is worth doing before vaccination, as vaccinating someone already immune carries no harm but incurs unnecessary cost
- Alternatively, vaccination without testing is also a clinically acceptable approach. The varicella vaccine is safe to give to someone already immune, and some people prefer to proceed directly rather than wait for test results, particularly if they are in a time-sensitive situation
Your pharmacist can advise on which approach is most appropriate for your circumstances.
What Are the Contraindications for the Chickenpox Vaccine?
Because the varicella vaccine for adults is a live attenuated vaccine, it is not suitable for everyone. It should not be given to:
- Pregnant women — pregnancy must be avoided for at least four weeks after each dose
- Immunocompromised individuals, including those on immunosuppressive therapy or with conditions that significantly impair immune function
- Those with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine
A consultation with your pharmacist before vaccination will confirm whether the vaccine is appropriate for you and flag any timing considerations.
How to Book the Chickenpox Vaccine in the UK
For adults who work with children and want to confirm or establish their immunity, private chickenpox vaccination is straightforward to arrange. At Touchwood Pharmacy, our pharmacists can check your immunity status, advise on whether vaccination is appropriate, and administer both doses of the varicella vaccine for adults at appointments that fit around your working week.
Book your appointment with our experts at Touchwood Pharmacy for personalised vaccination advice and access to the chickenpox vaccine in the UK.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The varicella vaccine is a live vaccine. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional to confirm whether vaccination is appropriate for your individual circumstances, particularly if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Should I get the chickenpox vaccine if I work in a school?
If you work in a school, nursery, or childcare setting and have never had chickenpox, you are at a higher risk of exposure than most adults and at risk of a more serious illness than children typically experience. The chickenpox vaccine for adults is a sensible precaution if you have no confirmed immunity. A blood test can confirm your status, or you can discuss vaccination directly with your pharmacist.
Is the chickenpox vaccine available privately in the UK?
Yes. Private chickenpox vaccination for adults is widely available through registered pharmacies and private clinics in the UK. Two doses of the varicella vaccine, given four to eight weeks apart, are required for full protection. You do not need a GP referral to access private vaccination at a pharmacy.
Do children in the UK get the chickenpox vaccine?
The child chickenpox vaccine is part of the routine immunisation schedule in Scotland and Wales, but not in England. In England, parents who wish to vaccinate their children privately can do so from nine months of age through a registered pharmacy or private clinic. The absence of universal chickenpox vaccination in England is one of the reasons the virus continues to circulate widely in school and childcare settings.
How long does the chickenpox vaccine take to work?
The varicella vaccine begins to establish immunity within a few days of vaccination, with full protection developing over two to six weeks after the first dose. The second dose, given four to eight weeks later, substantially strengthens and extends that protection. If you need vaccination urgently before a known exposure risk, speak to your pharmacist about timing.
Can I have the chickenpox vaccine if I am already pregnant?
No. The chickenpox vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and are not immune to chickenpox, speak to your midwife or GP rather than seeking vaccination. If you are planning a pregnancy and are unsure of your immunity status, arranging vaccination before conception is strongly recommended, ensuring at least four weeks have passed after the second dose before attempting to conceive.
What if I had chickenpox as a child but I am not sure I am still immune?
Most people who had a confirmed chickenpox infection in childhood retain lifelong immunity. However, immunity can be less robust if the original infection was very mild. If you are genuinely uncertain, a varicella IgG blood test through your GP or a private provider will give a definitive answer. Your pharmacist can advise on next steps once you have that result, or if you would prefer to proceed to vaccination without testing first.
