There is a simple blood test that checks for antibodies that shows if you have immunity to chicken pox. If you don't have the antibodies, adults can have the vaccination. It is less effective for adults but still gives about 75% protection (98% in children).

There is no medical reason not to give the vaccination to healthy adults. There are some groups that shouldn't receive the vaccine as it is "live". Examples of groups that shouldn't have the vaccine include those with impaired immune systems, pregnant women and people with allergies to the contents (this list is not exhaustive!).

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My son was vaccinated when we lived in the US but he caught chicken pox a few weeks ago anyway! He was clearly one of the few for whom the vaccine doesn't work. It was pretty mild though, not too many spots.

Cheers for that. A dad friend of ours caught it from his son and has been so bad he's been in and out of hospital for the last week. Awful.
My partner doesn't know if he's had chicken pox and his folks can't remember! So, blood test for him soon, before the wee girl catches it.

You can be vaccinated if you have not had it as a child and have no antibodies. We have it checked at work and have to have it if you are not immune. I would have thought you could get the vaccine privately if you wanted, but am not sure.

MrsOctober-that is really interesting, as my friend was specifically told you cannot be vaccinated as an adult-she hadn't had it in childhood and was worried about catching it during pregnancy (she wasn't already pregnant at the time)... hmmm. Good to know!

Adults can be vaccinated. In fact, when lack of immunity is established via a blood test, it is highly recommended (CP in adults can be particularly nasty and as for CP in early or late stages of pregnancy....)

When my older son got CP, I had a blood test to check for immunity as I was trying for a baby. Thankfully, I wasn't pregnant, but I had no immunity. My GP said I could be vaccinated but I would have to wait three months before trying for a baby. When I said I didn't have three months to waste, she suggested waiting to see if I got CP from my little boy and getting straight onto high-dose anti-virals to lessen the impact. About 15 days after my son's first spot, my first spot appeared. Within the hour, I was on Acyclovir (the size of horse tablets!) I had a very mild symptoms and got pregnant 2wks later (OK'd by my GP because I had antibodies by then)
Hope this is all of some help to someone!

No, I don't believe you can, as my friend who got her son vaccinated asked the very same question (she hadn't had it) and they said no...

Does anyone know if you can vaccinate an adult who didn't get it as a child?

My older son got Chicken Pox at 20months and it was deeply unpleasant. He was covered head to foot in scabs and had a seriously high temperature for about a week. Thanks to Poxclin mousse (highly highly recommend Poxclin, BTW) he was kept comfortable and only has one scar, next to his eye, because you can't use the mousse there.
After seeing him suffer like that I didn't hesitate to research the vaccine for my second child. I spoke to a friend who's a Doctor of infectious diseases and found out he's had his kids vaccinated. He said a vaccinated child gets a little booster every time they come into contact with Chicken Pox.
Had it done at Battersea Rise Group Practice by the wonderful Nurse Grace. No side effects at all, not even the slightest temperature. About £100 for both shots, given 6wks apart.

If anyone is looking to have their child vaccinated locally I recently had my girls vaccinated at the Wandsworth Medical Centre's Travel Clinic. It cost £90 per shot. They had one a few weeks ago and we have to return six weeks after the first shot for the second one. They had absolutely no side effects whatsoever.

http://www.wandsworthmedicalcentre.co.uk/

My two children were extremely ill with chicken pox and they never ususally get sick. Severe vomitting in the night, fever...the itching was the least of our worries. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't definatley vacinate. I did a lot of research and although the vaccination is 100% it means that if they do get chicken pox it is a lot milder.

In the US every child is vaccinated and it is virtually eradicated there. A few Americans I know cna't believe we put our children through it.

The only reason the NHS does not offer it is because it helps to prevent older people get shingles as the more and older person has contact with someone with chickenpox the less likely they are to get shingles.

I forgot to write the link!
http://www.nightingalesdoctors.com
0844 241 2633

I decided to get my daughter vaccinated privately and I used Nightingales Doctors.
Dr Benson was wonderful throughout, putting both me and my daughter at great ease. Dr Benson explained everything to me before hand and explained that she would be available after if needed.

To be able to have such a friendly and professional service in your own home is incredible. My daughter sat calmly and watched CBeebies whilst Dr Benson injected her...no crying or fuss and no travel!

I would recommend Nightingales Doctors and Dr Benson to you all for the Chicken Pox vaccine and any other health issues.

Hi,
I wondered about it for a while, but eventually decided to have it and my 2 yr old has had the first of the 2 jabs. As the other posts say it is effective, and most other European countries recommend it. I got it from my usual GP, just asked for a private prescription. It cost about £85 for both jabs, plus about £10 for the nurse to give it. No side effects so far.
Am happy I have done it.

Everyone in US and Australia gets one.
I believe the cost of another vaccine is too expensive to NHS and this is possibly the reason it is not given
We had our first born get it once he turned a year, and our 2nd one will get it as soon as he turns 1. There is no reason my child needs to suffer if can be avoided.
We got ours at Wimbledon Practice, it's a private practice, and I believe the cost is £105 for each of the 2 injections.
Well worth it, and absolutely no side effects.