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The chickenpox vaccine helps protect against chickenpox. It's only available on the NHS to people in close contact with someone who has a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox.
What the chickenpox vaccine is for
The chickenpox vaccine helps prevent chickenpox. Although chickenpox is usually mild, it can be very serious for some people, including: pregnant women, babies, those with a weakened immune system.
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended to hlp protect certain people who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox. Who should have the chickenpox vaccineThe chickenpox vaccine is recommended if you're healthy and all the following apply: you're 9 months old or over you've not had chickenpox before you're in regular or close contact with someone who's at risk of getting seriously ill if they get chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia or an adult having chemotherapyYou should also have the chickenpox vaccine if you've not had chickenpox before and your work involves close contact with patients.
This includes: doctors and nurses, ambulance staff, GP surgery and hospital receptionists, hospital ward cleaners, catering staff, laboratory workers who are exposed to the chickenpox virus. If you're not sure you've had chickenpox before, you may need a blood test to check. Who cannot have the chickenpox vaccineMost people can have the chickenpox vaccine if they need it. But as it's a live vaccine (it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus), it's not recommended for some people. People who should not have the chickenpox vaccine include: those with a weakened immune system because of an illness like HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy, pregnant women, babies under 9 months old, people who've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine, including neomycin or gelatin, people who've had their MMR vaccine in the previous 4 weeks, or are due to have it in the next 4 weeks. If you've had the chickenpox vaccine, you should avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after having the last dose of the vaccine.
