Chicken Pox Vaccine
Chicken pox is a common childhood infection that is usually mild with low risk of complications. Almost all children develop immunity to chicken pox after infection, so most only catch it once. However, the disease can be more severe in adults.
There are a certain groups of people who are at greater risk of serious complications from chickenpox. These include:
- people who have weakened immune systems through illnesses such as HIV, or treatments like chemotherapy
- pregnant women – an expecting mother is at risk of passing the infection to her unborn baby causing serious complications such as a range of birth defects, as well as severe disease in the baby when it is born.
Chicken Pox Vaccinations are not included in the NHS childhood vaccination program.
How is the Chicken Pox vaccine administered?
The vaccine is given as 2 separate injections, usually into the upper arm, 4 to 8 weeks apart.
How long does the chicken pox vaccination last?
It’s been shown that 9 out of 10 children vaccinated with a single dose will develop immunity against chickenpox. Hence, having 2 doses is recommended, as this gives an even better immune response.
Travel & Immunisation Clinic
Signs and symptoms
Those who have picked up the cholera bacteria don’t always have symptoms, but these are some of the typical symptoms you should expect:
• Severe, watery diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
Cholera symptoms can occur after just after a few hours, but generally develop within a few days of picking up the infection. If untreated, dehydration from severe diarrhoea and vomiting can quickly take effect, causing the body to go into shock because of a big drop in blood pressure.
Prevention
If you are travelling to a country known to be affected by cholera, here are a few ways you can help protect yourself:
• Only drink boiled or sealed bottled water
• Avoid ice in your drinks and ice creams
• Wash (in safe water) or peel uncooked fruit and vegetables
• Avoid shellfish, seafood and salads
Practice good personal hygiene measures – always wash your hands in safe water before eating and visiting the bathroom
Vaccination
The risk to most travellers is very low and vaccination is usually only recommended in the following circumstances:
• Volunteers/aid workers/medical personnel in disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• Those travelling to work in slums/refugee camps or areas affected by natural disasters
• Those travelling to countries experienacing cholera outbreaks and where care with food and water is difficult or not possible
The drinkable cholera vaccine is given in two or three (depending on age) separate doses, taken from one to up to six weeks apart and completed at least a week before travelling.
Book an Appointment
Due to a National shortage of Chicken pox vaccines, we are unable to book online appointments for this service. Please fill in the form below with your details and we will be in touch with the closest available appointment to administer this vaccine.