Pay for the chicken pox vaccine in late October, or wait til NHS one in early 2026?

[veggietate]

As in the title really... We could pay for DS to get a private chicken pox vaccine at the end of October, or wait til he gets the NHS one in the new year... what would you do?

So many variables! Are you or anyone in your family at heightened risk? What would happen if you needed 2 weeks off of work? Could you WFH? Have you got the spare cash for the vaccine?

We got DD vaccinated whilst I was pregnant with DD2 in about March 2024 and she has escaped 3 different outbreaks at nursery since. It’s money really well spent in my opinion. DD2 is due 1 year vaccinations in November and I was hoping it would be onto the routine vaccinations by then. I will just pay & get it privately to be honest now I’ve seen how effective it is. I think it’s £120 for both vaccinations isn’t it? We went via boots and when I think about it, 120 is worth it to save DD from all the itching & feeling unwell never mind all the other plus points.

Hi, thanks for your thoughtful message. We're not at heightened risk, we can afford it and I can easily WFH if I needed to. But you make a good point about spending the money simply to prevent DS feeling unwell.

We have been told we have to wait 30 days after the year 1 vaccine before he can have it, so for you it might be a case of waiting til January?! Depends on if you have a GP surgery who are on the ball haha.

I think I would probably get it privately too then if I were you! Chickenpox can drag on a bit, I just don’t see the point in letting them get it if we don’t have to.

Oh that’s interesting thank you, I guess because of the live vaccines etc. Useful to know so we can plan!

I got mine vaccinated with the first dose at 9 months, because I knew that peak chickenpox season in the UK is usually April and so getting LO vaccinated ASAP in late February meant protection for that peak transmission period. However, I haven't paid for the second dose yet because I reckon I can now wait for an NHS catch up dose. However, if nursery say they have a case, we will be straight off to Boots for a second dose!

I think it might actually be a bit difficult to get an NHS chickenpox jab in January unless your LO will be turning 1 exactly then, they will prioritise the exactly 1 year olds and gradually catch up the rest of the under 4s over the next two years. So you could be talking mid 2026 or later - and chickenpox normally really gets going in April...

And yes, either you have MMRV (the new combination chickenpox measles vaccine) OR you have MMR then wait 30 days THEN have chickenpox vaccine.