Chickenpox is a disease most commonly associated with childhood and in the past there never used to be a vaccine for it. In the 1960s and 70s, parents would hold chickenpox parties if one child in the neighbourhood contracted the disease so that it would spread amongst the children and they would get it over with. There is now a vaccination against Chickenpox but it is not routinely offered on the NHS as part of the standard childhood vaccination programme. If you are looking to have the Chickenpox vaccination in Streatham then consult our vaccination services. Touchwood Pharmacy also offers the chickenpox vaccination in Northolt.
Myths and facts about Chickenpox and the Chickenpox vaccination in the UK
- Fact – the Chickenpox vaccination is not available on the NHS unless you are in close contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable to Chickenpox or its complications.
- Fact – there are two Chickenpox vaccines currently available.
- Fact – Shingles is not the same illness as Chickenpox but it is caused by the same virus. If you have had Chickenpox then the virus can linger in your system and trigger another infection later on called Shingles.
- Myth – it is a myth that Chickenpox is a trivial or harmless childhood illness. It causes fever and distressing and constant itching from the telltale spots which can lead to permanent scarring on the skin.
- Myth – it is a myth that if you have had Chickenpox you will never get it again. Some people don’t produce sufficient levels of the vital antibodies after the initial Chickenpox infection and can go onto to develop the disease for a second time later in life
- Myth – if you have had Chickenpox then you will never get Shingles. If you have had Chickenpox then the virus will always remain to some degree in your system and may reactivate at some point later on. Around one in five people who have had Chickenpox will go on to develop Shingles.
- Fact – the Chickenpox vaccine is also called the Varicella vaccine because Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus.
If you want to have the Varicella vaccine then consult our vaccination services. We provide the Chickenpox vaccination at our clinic in Streatham and we also offer the Chickenpox vaccination in Northolt. For more information and to book an appointment.
