Chickenpox Vaccine in Portsmouth
Varivax chickenpox vaccination for adults, susceptible carers, healthcare workers and pre-travel travellers. Same-day appointments at Gunwharf Travel Clinic.
Chickenpox vaccine for adults and at-risk groups
Chickenpox (varicella) is usually a mild childhood illness, but in adults it can be considerably more severe — with higher rates of complications including pneumonia, encephalitis and bacterial superinfection. Adults who never had chickenpox as children, healthcare workers, carers and travellers heading to certain destinations sometimes choose private vaccination.
Chickenpox vaccination isn't part of the routine UK childhood schedule (unlike the US and many other countries), so most British adults who didn't have chickenpox in childhood remain susceptible. Two doses of the Varivax vaccine given 4–8 weeks apart provide around 90% protection against future infection.
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy, offers the chickenpox vaccine alongside our core travel medicine service. Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. GPhC premises 1099145.
If you're not sure whether you had chickenpox as a child, bring whatever records you have — we can usually work it out together. A blood test to check immunity is sometimes the best starting point for adults with no recollection.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
About chickenpox and why adults vaccinate
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. In children it's usually a mild illness — a few days of itchy rash, mild fever, and full recovery. In adults the picture is different: rates of pneumonia, encephalitis, bacterial superinfection and other complications are several times higher than in children, and hospital admission is more common. Pregnant women are at particular risk both for themselves and for the developing baby.
Who should consider the chickenpox vaccine?
The main groups are: adults who never had chickenpox as children (or aren't sure), healthcare workers and carers of immunocompromised patients, women planning pregnancy who aren't immune, and travellers heading to areas with active outbreaks. Most British adults who had chickenpox in childhood are immune for life and don't need vaccination.
How protection works
The UK uses Varivax (a live attenuated varicella vaccine). It's given as two doses in the upper arm, 4–8 weeks apart. Around 90% of people develop full immunity after the second dose, with onset of protection roughly one to two weeks later. Protection appears to last for many years; long-term boosting requirements aren't yet fully established.
Checking your immunity first
If you're not sure whether you had chickenpox as a child, a blood test for varicella zoster IgG antibodies is the most reliable way to check current immunity. We can arrange this through our partner lab if you'd prefer to confirm before vaccinating — results back in 24–48 hours. Many adults turn out to be immune from a forgotten or asymptomatic childhood infection.
Why this isn't on the NHS routine schedule
Unlike the US and many European countries, the UK has historically managed chickenpox as a routine childhood infection rather than vaccinating universally. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended adding varicella to the routine schedule in 2024, but the policy change isn't yet implemented and the vaccine remains private for adults.
Worth considering before extended travel to
Chickenpox isn't strictly a travel vaccine, but adult chickenpox during a long-haul trip is significantly more disruptive than the equivalent illness at home. If you're not immune and heading on extended or remote travel, worth considering before trips like:
- Nepal — particularly for trekkers
- Cambodia
- Philippines
- Australia — working-holiday context
- China
- Peru — Inca Trail and Amazon trips
Booking in Portsmouth
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Most first appointments take 20–30 minutes. We'll book your second dose before you leave. We're at 24 Queen Street, Portsea, walking distance from Gunwharf Quays and Portsmouth & Southsea station.
Everything you need in one appointment
Status review, vaccination, second dose 4–8 weeks later.
Immunity assessment
Most adults who had chickenpox in childhood are immune for life. We'll discuss your history and whether a blood test for varicella antibodies makes sense before vaccinating.
Varivax vaccine
Two-dose course of Varivax (varicella zoster vaccine) given 4–8 weeks apart. Around 90% protection after the full course.
Adult protection
Particularly relevant for healthcare workers, carers of immunocompromised patients, and adults heading abroad to areas with active outbreaks.
Travel-health summary
Written record of vaccination for your insurance, employer or future medical needs.
20-minute appointment
Status review, injection, written record. Most adults in and out under half an hour.
Children from age 1
Varivax is licensed from age 1. We can vaccinate older children with parent or guardian present.
Two-dose course over 4–8 weeks.
Three steps from booking to fully protected.
Book the first dose
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Bring whatever records or recollection you have of childhood chickenpox.
First Varivax dose
Single injection in the upper arm. Takes a couple of minutes.
Second dose 4–8 weeks later
We book the second dose before you leave. Full protection from one to two weeks after the second injection.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
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On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common chickenpox vaccine questions
Who should consider the chickenpox vaccine?
Adults who never had chickenpox as children, healthcare workers, carers of immunocompromised patients, women planning pregnancy who aren't immune, and travellers to areas with active outbreaks. Most British adults who had chickenpox in childhood are immune for life.
How is it given?
Varivax is given as two injections in the upper arm, 4–8 weeks apart. Around 90% protection from one to two weeks after the second dose.
What if I'm not sure I had chickenpox as a child?
That's common. Bring whatever records you have. A blood test for varicella antibodies is the most reliable way to check current immunity — we can arrange this if you'd prefer to confirm before vaccinating.
Is it free on the NHS?
For most adults no — chickenpox vaccination is not part of the routine UK childhood schedule and isn't free for adults privately. Healthcare workers may have NHS-funded vaccination through occupational health; check with your employer.
What about side effects?
Most people experience mild soreness at the injection site, occasional mild fever or feeling-unwell symptoms for a day or two, sometimes a mild rash 1–2 weeks after vaccination. Serious reactions are rare.
Can I have it if I'm pregnant?
No — Varivax is a live vaccine and isn't given during pregnancy. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least one month after vaccination.
Why isn't it on the routine UK schedule?
Historically the UK approach was to manage chickenpox as a routine childhood infection rather than vaccinating universally. This is being reconsidered — as of 2024 the UK JCVI has recommended adding chickenpox to the routine childhood schedule, though the policy change isn't yet implemented.
Where can I get the chickenpox vaccine in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN — inside Merali Pharmacy. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays. Pay-and-display parking on Queen Street.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
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Book your chickenpox vaccination.
Two doses 4–8 weeks apart. Same-day starts available.
- NHS — Chickenpox vaccine overview (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book chapter 34a: Varicella (accessed 2026-05-20)
- JCVI — JCVI advice on adding varicella to routine UK schedule (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). Chickenpox vaccination is recommended on a case-by-case basis depending on your immunity status, age, occupation and circumstances.
