Questions about the chicken pox vaccine

[GlassOnions]

Can anyone answer a few questions about the chicken pox vaccine for me please?

How much is it?

How do I go about booking it?

Is it a single vaccine or a round of multiple ones?

How long does it take to be effective?

Are there any common (not random whacky) side effects?

How close in time frame to the second MMR vaccine can it be taken? We still need to get the second round and it's a few years overdue

We got it. It was £75 per dose. You need two doses 4 weeks apart. We booked it though Boots. Superdrug also do it. I’m really glad we got it as pox is now going round school. If both my children got it, that’s be 2 weeks of illnesses plus the effect on them.

Its not 100% effective but gives me peace of mind.

You need 2 vaccines. About 4-6 weeks apart. I think they say wait 6 weeks after the MMR (which confuses me as its given at the same time in multiple other countries). Price can vary but roughly 70-90 per vaccine.

We had no side effects at all.

We paid £150 for two vaccines a few weeks apart.
Superdrug- online.
No side effects.
In US they give MMR and chicken pox at the same time, I’m sure the website will explain in way more depth.

In other countries you get it at the same time as the MMR so I’d speak to a nurse about that.

How much is it? - about £200 for the vaccine itself, unless you qualify for nhs vaccine, plus private paeds fees if you have it done at a paed and not a pharmacy
How do I go about booking it? - direct with a private pharmacy or paed - boots do it in a lot of places
Is it a single vaccine or a round of multiple ones? - 2 vaccines, 6 weeks apart
How long does it take to be effective? - 6 weeks after the second shot (if you catch chicken pox before this time it renders the vaccine useless)
Are there any common (not random whacky) side effects? - best to consult a medical professional

Ps-
chicken pox has been a round school and in DD class (close friends) and she didn’t catch it.

It can either be given at the same time as the MMR, otherwise needs to be at least 4 weeks apart. Something to do with them both being live vaccines.

2 vaccines, given usually 4-6 weeks apart. £150 ish total. Boots do it and so do other chemists, travel vaccine places and private GPs. It can be given on the same day as the MMR or if not the same day then you have to wait 4 weeks. Most people wait as logistically it’s a faff if the NHS is doing the MMR at the GPs then you need to also go to Boots or wherever for the chickenpox on the same day. It can cause a fever, whoever is administering it should give you all the info.

Thank you. My son had CP very mildly when he was young. But my daughter has not yet and she scars very easily. Has done already with bad eczema flare ups, so would like to avoid any potential scarring as she scratches and scratches and I just think she'll have an absolute nightmare with it.

CP has been completely off my radar for the past few years due to covid but I'd rather her not have to suffer.

Does anyone know if a child that has had CP before can also get the vaccine? My son had it so mildly we weren't even sure if it actually was the pox at first (it was) but I've heard if it's very mills there's a chance they can get it again. Would it be worth it to get him done too?

Also thanks very much to you all for the info above. Very informative. I might try and get the MMR and first pox one done on the same day. Will need an industrial bag of sweets to bribe my DD to go ahead with the second one though!

How much is it?
I think we paid £140.

How do I go about booking it?
For DS’s I booked online with Superdrug and just took him to our local store to have it done.

Is it a single vaccine or a round of multiple ones?
Two separate vaccines, approx 4/6 weeks apart, can’t quite remember.

How long does it take to be effective?
I believe it can have some effect immediately. That’s why it’s possible to administer the vaccine to a child who’s already been infected, as it can still reduce the severity of symptoms. DS had his first dose during an active chickenpox outbreak at his nursery and never caught it.

Are there any common (not random whacky) side effects?
Not sure. Didn’t see any with DS.

How close in time frame to the second MMR vaccine can it be taken?
I believe there’s actually an MMRV vaccine which combines MMR and chickenpox vaccines and is used in some countries where chickenpox forms part of the standard immunisation programme for children. So technically, they can be given together. But where the standard MMR vaccine is being used (as in the UK) I think it’s meant to be 4 weeks before you can then vaccinate for chickenpox separately.

No they won't vaccinate if you have had it at all

There’s a blood test to check for chickenpox immunity. No idea if it’s something the GP would do for a child though.

Thanks for confirming.

Thank you all. Very helpful 👍🏻

I believe there’s actually an MMRV vaccine which combines MMR and chickenpox vaccines and is used in some countries where chickenpox forms part of the standard immunisation programme for children. So technically, they can be given together. But where the standard MMR vaccine is being used (as in the UK) I think it’s meant to be 4 weeks before you can then vaccinate for chickenpox separately.

This is correct except that the MMR and separate chickenpox vaccine can be given on the same day. DC1 had 1 MMRV abroad at 12 months and separate MMR and Chickenpox vaccine for pre school boosters given at the same appointment by a private GP in the UK. DC2 was in an NHS vaccine study (unrelated to chickenpox) but I sort the doctor’s advice on timing and they said the same- same day is fine but otherwise you have to wait 4 weeks.

Hey @GlassOnions how did you get on?

I know this is old but FWIW I spoke to a vaccine clinic today, my son had CP very mildly & I was told they CAN still vaccinate him regardless of the fact he's had it as mild as he did.