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Original poster

Chicken pox vaccine - 1 dose only and now lost

24 replies

wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 12:06

Hoping someone can help.
my daughter had the first dose of the chickenpox vaccine around 3 years ago aged 2/3.
I didn’t know she needed 2 doses (2nd one 3 months later) and the pharmacy are saying too much time has now elapsed since she has the first one to give the 2nd.
however, we saw the Gp about something unrelated last week and he was shocked she only had one dose and said she needs
the second dose as she is now in a bit of limbo having “some” protection but not full protection which could affect her as a grown women when pregnant (aaargh)
went back to pharmacy to say Gp says she needs 2nd dose and they have said no, too much time has elapsed since first one so they won’t give second.
totally caught between them! Any experience? Thank you.

OP posts:
Twizbe · 06/01/2023 12:12

My eldest had both doses and my youngest only 1 (thank you covid)

Eldest actually caught chicken pox (though super mild, just 5 spots and felt fine) while his little sister didn't get it.

She's been exposed more than once and hasn't caught it.

My guess is that she has some protection. Tbh if she gets it like her brother did I'm fine with that too.

iknowhimsowell · 06/01/2023 12:13

My daughter only had one dose, she got chicken pox anyway but mildly. I wouldn't worry about it too much to be honest.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 12:15

Thanks so much. That’s really reassuring. Gp scared me with his horrified reaction!

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FlounderingFruitcake · 06/01/2023 12:15

In the US it’s in the MMR so 1 dose at 12 months and the second at 4 since pre-school boosters are given later there too. Doesn’t seem to be an issue there, although obviously there’s less chickenpox in the general population because it’s a routine vaccination there.

Inmy40 · 06/01/2023 13:27

Years ago it was only one dose so both of mine only had one dose. Both caught chicken pox years later but incredibly mildly as in a few spots. No illness with it at all.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 13:32

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate these reassuring replies!

OP posts:
Eatentoomanyroses · 06/01/2023 13:35

Can she have another two doses? Did you ask the pharmacist? I wish I’d known there was a vaccine. My eldest was very mild with it but my youngest had it and it was horrific.

inappropriateraspberry · 06/01/2023 13:36

Surely this is for the GP/medical centre to organise, not a pharmacy?

FlounderingFruitcake · 06/01/2023 13:39

I should add that DD had the MMRV (V = varicella) at 12 months in the US, and her MMR and separate chickenpox booster at 4 years old in the UK after we moved here. I took her to a private GP since the NHS wouldn’t do the chickenpox and didn’t want the hassle of 2 appointments and they never mentioned any potential issue because of the gap, in fact the doctor said they see a lot of expat families for the same reason.

FlounderingFruitcake · 06/01/2023 13:40

Sorry posted too soon… meant to add that there have been 2 chickenpox outbreaks at school and she’s never caught it!

Regularsizedrudy · 06/01/2023 13:42

Why can’t you just start again and do two doses?

upfucked · 06/01/2023 13:42

inappropriateraspberry · 06/01/2023 13:36

Surely this is for the GP/medical centre to organise, not a pharmacy?

Chicken pox vaccine is only available privately in the UK and is normally given by a pharmacist.

WouldJudasLeaveIt · 06/01/2023 13:43

inappropriateraspberry · 06/01/2023 13:36

Surely this is for the GP/medical centre to organise, not a pharmacy?

Boots pharmacy did my child's.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 06/01/2023 13:44

I think the pharmacy are talking bollocks as in some countries there is a 3-4 year gap as standard . However it may be that the vaccine is not licensed for two doses with a large gap in the uk.

The GP is right that having partial immunity is not ideal as catching chickenpox in pregnancy is dangerous for the baby and in general catching it at an older age is worse.

A single dose gives about 80% protection from infection and 95% from severe disease I think

If it was me I'd go to another pharmacy and get her one or two further doses, if necessary I would just not tell them about the earlier vaccine.

Causticlimeandsoda · 06/01/2023 13:48

The pharmacist is not correct here. The 2nd dose can be given even if the recommended interval has elapsed.
I would find another pharmacy or a travel clinic and they will be able to advise. The main issue with vaccination intervals is the minimum period between doses must be observed, if it goes over that, in most cases, a course does not need to be restarted and can simply be resumed.

Fathercrossmas · 06/01/2023 13:49

I would just repeat the first dose.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 14:30

FlounderingFruitcake · 06/01/2023 13:39

I should add that DD had the MMRV (V = varicella) at 12 months in the US, and her MMR and separate chickenpox booster at 4 years old in the UK after we moved here. I took her to a private GP since the NHS wouldn’t do the chickenpox and didn’t want the hassle of 2 appointments and they never mentioned any potential issue because of the gap, in fact the doctor said they see a lot of expat families for the same reason.

Oh that’s great to know, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 14:31

Causticlimeandsoda · 06/01/2023 13:48

The pharmacist is not correct here. The 2nd dose can be given even if the recommended interval has elapsed.
I would find another pharmacy or a travel clinic and they will be able to advise. The main issue with vaccination intervals is the minimum period between doses must be observed, if it goes over that, in most cases, a course does not need to be restarted and can simply be resumed.

Thank you for this clarity! That would fit with what GP said. I’ll find another pharmacy.

OP posts:
Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 14:32

MotherOfCrocodiles · 06/01/2023 13:44

I think the pharmacy are talking bollocks as in some countries there is a 3-4 year gap as standard . However it may be that the vaccine is not licensed for two doses with a large gap in the uk.

The GP is right that having partial immunity is not ideal as catching chickenpox in pregnancy is dangerous for the baby and in general catching it at an older age is worse.

A single dose gives about 80% protection from infection and 95% from severe disease I think

If it was me I'd go to another pharmacy and get her one or two further doses, if necessary I would just not tell them about the earlier vaccine.

I’ll do exactly this, thank you

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 06/01/2023 14:34

I agree with PP, in other countries they have it at 1 and 4 so it really shouldn’t be an issue.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 14:35

Eatentoomanyroses · 06/01/2023 13:35

Can she have another two doses? Did you ask the pharmacist? I wish I’d known there was a vaccine. My eldest was very mild with it but my youngest had it and it was horrific.

im sorry to hear about your youngest ☹️was my concern as my daughter gets super high fevers with all illnesses (41+) and bad exzema so just worried chicken pox would knock her for six without some protection

OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 06/01/2023 14:36

I'd just phone a travel clinic type place and ask if you can have it there, I bet they would be more helpful

privateandnhsgp · 06/01/2023 14:41

We vaccinate for CP and the pharmacy are talking bollocks. Not surprising if it's Boots.

She needs to have the second dose (at least) but someone should discuss with the manufacturer. If it's Boots they probably used Varivax.

This happened with a couple of people in our clinic during COVID. We spoke to the vaccine manufacturers (which is what any responsible clinic would do) about the interval and they said that only dose 2 was required and not a restart of the course.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 06/01/2023 15:32

privateandnhsgp · 06/01/2023 14:41

We vaccinate for CP and the pharmacy are talking bollocks. Not surprising if it's Boots.

She needs to have the second dose (at least) but someone should discuss with the manufacturer. If it's Boots they probably used Varivax.

This happened with a couple of people in our clinic during COVID. We spoke to the vaccine manufacturers (which is what any responsible clinic would do) about the interval and they said that only dose 2 was required and not a restart of the course.

So helpful, thank you. Any pharmacy recommends? I’m in Scotland. First dose (and now refusing to do 2nd dose) was through Dears

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