Paying for chickenpox vaccine

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I probably ABU....

Got a DD who's 2.5, and another baby on the way. The baby on the way has been diagnosed with downs syndrome, and has a major heart problem that requires open heart surgery in its first few months (with heart problems until then).

At the latest heart appointment I asked about the risk to baby given DD goes to nursery and is a germ machine (as are all 2 year olds!). They said not to worry about colds etc, but to get flu jabs and flagged a particular concern about chickenpox given DD hasn't had it yet. It was agreed that it was best if DD could be vaccinated against CP.

Spoke to the GP, and said I would be prepared to pay if necessary, but obviously would prefer not to as it's for sound medical reasons. Anyway, got a call to book it, and DD had dose 1 this morning. At the appointment, they said we did have to pay, and it would be £80.

Now, we will pay, as for me it's worth the £80 to have the extra protection for the baby. But, we can't really afford it, and it seems a bit harsh to have to pay when there's a genuine medical reason to have it.

So AIBU in thinking given the circumstances, we shouldn't have to pay.

Nope, I agree that in these situations it should be prescribes on the NHS. However my understanding is that the vaccine isn't approved for anybody by NICE and I think that's where it all comes unstuck

I can see why you feel you should have a free jab and whilst I agree for the health of your new baby, it won't happen.

Until chicken pox is recognised as a dangerous virus, the jab will never be offered on the NHS even to vulnerable patients

My ds had the chicken pox vaccine on the NHS, as he has a genetic condition, with lung problems and we were recommended that we get the vaccine by his paediatrician, so it can be given on the NHS. Would it be possible to get a letter from the consultant who recommended that your older child be vaccinated?

It's available on the NHS for people who care for or are close to those with weakened immune systems. On the NHS website it says:

'The types of people who can have a chickenpox vaccination on the NHS include:
non-immune healthcare workers
close relatives and carers (who have not previously had chickenpox) of people who are unwell'

As the hcps at the heart appointment said you should, YANBU for expecting not to pay.

The NHS website says this

It is currently only offered on the NHS to people who are in close contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox or its complications.

here

And this

"If I want the chickenpox vaccine for my child, can I get it free on the NHS?

Chickenpoxvaccinations are provided free on the NHS where there is a clinical need,such as for healthy people who aren't immune to chickenpox and are in close contact with someone who hasa weakened immune system.
This is to reduce the riskof the person with aweakened immune systemcatching chickenpoxandthen developingserious chickenpox complications.
Examples of children who would probably beeligiblefor a chickenpox jab on the NHSinclude the brothers and sisters of a childwith leukaemia, or a child whose parent is undergoing chemotherapy.
You cannot get the chickenpox vaccine free on the NHS if you simply want to prevent your child catching chickenpox and there are no other associated health risks."

here

Maybe you could print of those pages and send them to the GP

Our son needed the chicken pox vaccine for medical reasons and our GP wrote us a private prescription which we ordered at Boots, then the GP gave the vaccine. We just paid the price of the actual prescription which I can't remember exactly but wasn't very much.

You need the heart clinic to write a letter to the GP. I doubt anything else will work.

Call up the heart consultant's secretary, explain that consultant said CP vax needed but GP is saying it must be done privately, and ask for a letter from consultant to GP.

We got it paid for at GPs because of an immune suppressed family member so it seems only fair someone in your situation would not have to pay.
All the best for your family and little one.

Frustrating that its provision is inconsistent. I spoke to a GP at the practice today to challenge it, but she wouldn't budge.

Thanks for the best wishes flop

How frustrating! Is there anyone else you can follow up with? It seems very unfair that you should have to pay in this situation.

We were told we were eligible for CP vaccine on the NHS for our DS2 when DD was immunosuppressed but they made such a bloody song and dance about it then offered us a referral to a vaccine clinic 3 months later. We got it done the next day privately.

I hope all goes well with your baby's surgery.

The chickenpox immunisation is two vaccinations spaced a month to six weeks apart. Was the £80 just for the first injection or for both? If it was for both, then that is cheaper than getting it done at a private clinic but I would still wrote to the Practice Manager of your surgery and ask about being recompensated as the vaccination might be covered by the NHS in your child's situation.

flying it was £40 per shot, £80 total.

I asked to speak to the practice manager and it was the GP who called me instead. I might have more luck with my GP, he's been in the practice a lot longer and may be more flexible.

I'm torn because I'm willing to pay to protect my next baby's health, but I'm not really sure I should have to.

I'm already finding out the cost of having a child with additional needs, before she's even arrived. Each trip to the specialist London hospital costs £25 in nursery plus £50 train fares. I don't begrudge paying because like any parent, I'll pay to give my child the best treatment possible. But it's been very eye opening.

Unfortunately there are loads of additional costs with a child with disabilities (ds's socks cost £13 a pair!!) £80 is pretty cheap (I think ours would have been £160) but you really shouldn't have to pay.

Practice Nurse here. Get the Consultant to write to your GP.
Your child CAN have varicella on the NHs. Your GP can order it in and then claim back for it.
What your GP has done is to provide a private service to an NHS patient. This is NOT allowed. Please write to the Practice Manager to request that they sort this out ASAP quoting that they cannot charge NHS patients for private services. Quote the BMA at them to get them to realise you are serious. However, this all hinges on the letter from the consultant advising that your eldest is vaccinated. If the consultant won't play ball you will get nowhere.

I agree - yanbu. Was wondering if you have had an antenatal appointment with your hv yet? It would certainly be in her remit to take this forward with the gp.

The issue might be that the baby isn't here yet, so at the moment your DD doesn't actually meet the NHS criteria.

If it's £80 for both vaccines, you've got a good deal. I paid £90 per shot with a private doctor.

Worth every penny. Cpox is grim.