Private Chickenpox Vaccination

You need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart. The NHS says doses are usually 4 to 8 weeks apart, or 3 months apart for babies aged 9 to 12 months.

Each pharmacy sets its own price. You can see it when you choose a pharmacy.

From January 2026, children in Scotland are offered the MMRV vaccine. This protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Which children get it depends on their date of birth. The NHS also offers the chickenpox vaccine to people in close contact with someone at higher risk.

Most side effects are mild. They include pain or redness where the injection was given, a mild fever and sometimes a mild rash. If you get a rash, keep away from people with a weak immune system until it goes.

After 2 doses, the vaccine gives around 98% protection in children and about 75% protection in adults. Booster doses are not needed.

You should not have it if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or have had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. Do not get pregnant for 1 month after the vaccine. You may need to wait if you had the MMR vaccine in the last 4 weeks.