Chickenpox vaccine single dose

[OopsieeDaisy]

My DC is due to have their preschool booster vaccines next week which now includes a single does of the chickenpox vaccine. I assumed this would mean they’d also get a second dose 6 weeks later as younger children will and as this is the process with private vaccines, however this isn’t the case. From what I can find online, this means they will have up to 93% immunity and may have milder symptoms if they do catch it, but I also read about the level of immunity decreasing over time if only one dose is given, and the symptoms can be worse if caught when older. Would it be worth us paying just for a second dose privately? I’m confused as to the level of benefit of the new rollout for the children only receiving a single dose, or have I misunderstood completely?

You're very lucky with your timing to get the vaccine. I don't think a second dose will increase the immunity to near 100% if that's what you're thinking, if that was the case then I believe a second dose would be offered by the health service.

From experience, the older you are when you get chicken pox for the first time the worse it can be but if your pre-schooler gets it after the vaccine then the symptoms are likely to be mild or you may not even notice they have it other than a slight temperature and maybe a couple of spots.

Hello @OopsieeDaisy just to let you know we’re currently running a vaccinations Q&A with two NHS experts.

If you’d like to ask them directly about things like schedules, side effects, eligibility or outbreak concerns, you can post your question here.

Yes we had that, the 3y4mo jab was offered as a single dose, I guess they have to draw the line with the catch up somewhere, and they have made it a blurry line.
I would say pay if you can afford it, it was 150£ when we checked for the two doses, but if not then don't bother as this time last year no 3 year old was even getting a single dose.