The chickenpox vaccine provides protection against the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Chickenpox is an acute highly infectious virus. It is spread from person to person. The infection is most common in children below the age of ten. The vaccine causes your immune system to produce antibodies that will help protect against chickenpox.

Vaccination content

The vaccine against chickenpox is a live attenuated vaccine. Other live vaccines should be given at the same time or at least a month apart in normal circumstances.

Who should be vaccinated?

It is recommended for individuals such as certain healthcare workers and people in close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system, who are likely to come into contact with people in “at-risk” groups. This is to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to those at risk.  The infection is most common in children below the age of ten, in whom it usually causes mild disease. The disease can be more serious in adults, particularly pregnant women and those who smoke.

Vaccine dose

Two doses at 0 and 6 weeks, given to children from 1 year of age and adults. Vaccine fully effective 6 weeks after the 2nd dose.

Who should not be vaccinated?

General issues: Patients who have had a serious reaction (”anaphylaxis”) to a previous dose of this vaccine or its constituents. Pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following the vaccination

Duration of immunity

Life long

Side effects

Redness and tenderness at the injection site. Sometimes a rash may develop.

Price

£90 per dose

Shingles vaccine is an injection to help prevent shingles and complications which affect the nervous system. This is a vaccine used to prevent shingles (zoster) and zoster-related post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the long-lasting nerve pain that follows shingles. Shingles is a painful, blistering rash. It usually occurs in one part of the body and can last for several weeks. It may lead to severe and long-lasting pain and scarring. Less commonly, bacterial skin infections, weakness, muscle paralysis, loss of hearing or vision can occur. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus that caused it stays in your body in nerve cells. Sometimes, after many years, the virus becomes active again and causes shingles.

Vaccination content

This is a Live safe attenuated (weakened form) of shingles.

Who should be vaccinated?

This vaccination is used to vaccinate individuals 50 years of age or older. It cannot be used to treat existing shingles or the pain associated with existing shingles.

Vaccine dose

This is a once only injection. 1 dose (0.65 ml) vaccination.

Who should not be vaccinated?

This vaccine should not be given at the same time as the pneumococcal vaccine. Avoided in individuals who are allergic to any of the vaccine components or neomycin (an antibiotic), and to people with blood disorders, cancer or weakened immune systems. It should also be avoided in cases of untreated tuberculosis or pregnancy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Vaccine should not be given to pregnant women.

Duration of immunity

Life

Side effects

Like all vaccines and medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects can include redness, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site. Headache, pain or warm feeling in arm has been reported in some patients.

Price

£190 per dose

PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. This vaccine helps prevent invasive infections like meningitis and bacteremia.

Who should get these vaccines?

Adults should get one, two, or three doses of this vaccine, depending on their age, health condition, and timing of the first dose.It is recommended for:

• All adults 65 years or older

• Adults 19 years or older with certain health conditions, like chronic illnesses of the heart, liver, lungs, or kidneys

• Adults 19 years or older who smoke cigarettes

• Adults 19 years or older with an immunocompromising condition, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant

Who should not get these vaccines?

Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a dose of the vaccine or with a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine should not get the vaccine.

Duration of immunity

6 years

Price

£40 per dose

Diphtheria is usually spread by close contact with infected persons. In the UK, the combined Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio vaccine is recommended when diphtheria boosters are indicated for adults. A diphtheria booster lasts 10 years. Tetanus is a serious infection, usually contracted following contamination of wounds. In the UK, after 5 doses of vaccine, tetanus boosters are not routinely required unless travelling to areas with limited medical care. In the UK, the combined Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio vaccine is recommended when tetanus boosters are indicated. A tetanus booster lasts 10 years.

Vaccination content

Given as a combined vaccine with polio, tetanus and diphtheria.

Who should be vaccinated?

Those travelling to an area with poor access to medical attention who have not had a booster in the last 10 years. Additional vaccine information: If your childhood schedule was incomplete, seek guidance about additional doses. In the UK, the tetanus vaccine is combined with polio and diphtheria

Vaccine dose

A single injection.

When to get vaccinated?

2 weeks before travel

Who should not be vaccinated?

General issues: Patients who have had a serious reaction (”anaphylaxis”) to a previous dose of this vaccine or its constituents. Specific issues: Unstable epilepsy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no evidence of risk.

Duration of immunity

10 years

Side effects

Very few. Temporary tenderness at the site of the injection

Price

£50 per dose

HPV vaccination is preventing cancer-causing infections and precancers.
HPV infections and cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped significantly since the vaccine has been in use.

• Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 71 percent.
• Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 61 percent.
• Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40 percent.

HPV vaccination is very safe.
Over 10 years of monitoring and research have shown that the HPV vaccine is very safe and effective. Like all vaccines, there is ongoing monitoring of the HPV vaccine to ensure it is safe and effective.

Vaccines protect your child before they are exposed to a disease. That’s why the HPV vaccine is recommended earlier rather than later, to protect your child long before they are ever exposed to the virus.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Vaccination content

The vaccine contains human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 protein-like particles.

Who should be vaccinated?

Teens and young adults should be vaccinated too.
HPV vaccination is recommended through age 26 for women, and through age 21 for men, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger.HPV vaccination is also recommended for the following people through age 26, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger:

• Young men who have sex with men
• Young adults who are transgender
• Young adults with weakened immune systems

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Vaccine dose

Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11-12; the vaccine can be given as early as age 9. If you wait until they’re older, they may need three doses instead of two.

Children who start the vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three shots given over 6 months. If your teen hasn’t gotten the vaccine yet, talk to his/her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

When to get vaccinated?

Not relevant

Who should not be vaccinated?

People with hypersensitivity to one or more of the ingredients.

In the case of acute illness accompanied by fever, vaccination should be postponed.

In the case of uncertainty about hypersensitivity or other current health issues, we would refer to your own doctor

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Vaccination should be postponed until pregnancy is complete.

The vaccine can be given during breastfeeding.

Duration of immunity

Life

Side effects

Like any vaccine or medicine, HPV vaccination can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given
• Dizziness or fainting (fainting after any vaccine, including HPV vaccine, is more common among adolescents)
• Nausea
• Headache

The benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh any potential risk of side effects.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Price

150 per dose

What is Flu?

Flu (or influenza, to use the full name) is a highly infectious illness which spreads very rapidly through coughs and sneezes of people who are already carrying the virus. Flu immunisation (flu jab) gives you good protection from flu and lasts for one year. The vaccine is normally available in the autumn and is made from the strain of flu that is expected in the coming winter. In order to remain protected, you need to ensure that you have a flu jab every year.

Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms hit you suddenly and severely. They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, and you can often get a cough and sore throat at the same time. Colds are less severe, and usually start gradually when you get a sore throat and stuffy or runny nose. Flu is a much more serious illness. Catching flu is a nasty experience for most of us. However, for some people it can lead to serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia and may require hospital treatment. Every winter, a large number of elderly people die from influenza. A flu jabs main purpose is to protect those who are most at risk of developing complications that can result from flu.

When should I get the Flu Jab?

The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, between late September and early November. Don’t wait until the winter when there’s a flu epidemic. The virus circulates every winter, usually over a period of a few weeks and, as a result, a lot of people get ill around the same time. In a really bad year, this can amount to an epidemic, but it’s impossible to predict how much flu there will be every year.

Duration of immunity

1 year

Price

£20 per dose

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) viruses are highly infectious and transmitted through airborne droplets spread from the respiratory tract of an infectious person. Inhalation of droplets from an infected person, caused by sneezing, coughing or spitting will cause the spread of infection.
The virus is found worldwide and outbreaks of measles continue to be a global problem.

Vaccination content

Vaccine containing measles, mumps, and rubella viruses that have been weakened. When a person is given the vaccine, the immune system will make antibodies against the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. The antibodies help protect against infections caused by these viruses.

Who should be vaccinated?

The vaccine should be given to protect everyone who is unvaccinated from 12 months of age onward. Couples planning a pregnancy should check if they have received the vaccination previously. People can check their antibody levels if uncertain.

Vaccine dose

A full course of MMR vaccination requires 2 doses.

When to get vaccinated?

1 month before travel

Who should not be vaccinated?

• If you or your child are allergic to any of the components of this vaccine (including neomycin or any of the other ingredients)
• If you or your child are pregnant
• If you or your child have any illness with fever higher than 38.5°C vaccination should be postponed until recovery (low-grade fever itself is not a reason to delay vaccination )
• If you or your child have active untreated tuberculosis
• If you or your child have any condition that affects or lowers the immune system –
• If you or your child are receiving treatment or taking medicines that may weaken the immune system – discuss with the nurse or doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

MMR should not be given in pregnancy.  Women of child-bearing age should take the necessary precautions to avoid pregnancy for 1 month after receiving MMR vaccination. Tell your nurse or doctor if you are breast feeding so they can advise you of the benefits and risks of vaccination depending upon the country of destination.

Duration of immunity

Life

Side effects

Mumps measles and rubella disease can have serious, potentially fatal complications including meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and deafness. Complications of disease can seriously affect pregnant women and their unborn babies and also increase the chances of miscarriage.

After MMR vaccination the majority of people experience no problems. Side effects of vaccination however can include minor local reactions at the injection site such as tenderness, redness and swelling or even a faint rash as it may mildly mimic the illness. Other reactions may include more unlikely side effects such as aching joints, fever, headache or tiredness, and tummy upsets for example. The nurse will discuss these with you prior to vaccination.

Price

£50 per dose

Vaccination content

For travellers, there are available two quadrivalent vaccines – (protecting aginst four strains, A, C, W and Y): “polysaccharide” and “conjugate”. UK authorities recommend the use of the conjugate vaccine, and we can advise you about the choice.

Who should be vaccinated?

In some areas of the world, the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection particularly of developing serogroup A disease is much higher than in the UK. Individuals who are particularly at risk are visitors who live or travel ‘rough’, such as backpackers, and those living or working with local people.

Additional vaccine information: 1.    Many UK travellers will have received meningitis C vaccination in childhood. Meningitis travel vaccine is required in addition to this protection. 2.   Large epidemics of both serogroup A and W135 meningococcal infection have occurred in association with Hajj pilgrimages, and proof of vaccination against A, C, W135 and Y serogroups is now a visa entry requirement for pilgrims and seasonal workers travelling to Saudi Arabia.

Vaccine dose

A single dose

When to get vaccinated?

2-3 weeks before travel

Who should not be vaccinated?

General issues: A confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine, or to any constituent of the vaccine, including meningococcal polysaccharide. Specific issues: A confirmed anaphylactic reaction to diphtheria toxoid or the CRM197 carrier protein or tetanus toxoid.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no evidence of risk.

Duration of immunity

5 years

Side effects

For conjugate vaccine, reported reactions included injection site reactions including pain, and redness, headache, nausea, rash and malaise. For polysaccharide vaccine, generalised reactions are rare although pyrexia occurs more frequently in young children than in adults. Injection site reactions occur in approximately 10% of recipients and last for approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Price

£90 per dose

Meningitis B vaccine contains four different components from of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis group B. These bacteria can cause serious, and sometimes life-threatening, infections such as meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (blood poisoning). The vaccine works by specifically stimulating the body’s natural defense system of the vaccinated person. This results in protection against the disease.

Vaccination content

The four immunogenic components of Meningitis B vaccine are:

• Factor H binding protein (fHbp)
• Neisseria heparin-binding antigen (NHBA)
• Neisserial adhesin A (NadA)
• Porin A (PorA)

Who should be vaccinated?

• Full-Term Infants over 2 months of age and above who want protection against the disease and fulfill the criteria for vaccination
• Children and adults without a spleen, splenic dysfunction or complement blood disorders
• Travel and living in areas of potential high risk  – although there are no specific recommendations for travellers as yet

Vaccine dose

• Full term babies 2 – 5 months=3 doses at 1 month apart, then 1 booster between 12 – 15 months. Total 4 doses
• Unvaccinated infants 6 – 11 months=2 doses at 2 months apart, then booster in 2 year of life. Total 3 doses
• Children 12 – 23 months – 2 doses 2 months apart, then 1-2 years later. Total 3 doses
• Children 2-10 years = 2 doses at 2 months apart. Total 2 doses
• 11 years and adult= 2 doses at 1 month apart. Total 2 doses

When to get vaccinated?

Phone for advice

Who should not be vaccinated?

There are very few individuals who cannot receive meningococcal vaccines, but it should not be given to those individuals who –

• Have had a confirmed anaphylactic (allergic) reaction to a previous dose
• Hypersensitivity to any of the substances in the vaccine which includes latex allergy
• Allergy to Kanamycin ( a specific antibiotic) as trace levels may be contained within the product

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Phone us for advice

Duration of immunity

Life long

Side effects

As with all drugs, vaccines can cause side effects. Vaccine side effects may include soreness/redness/swelling or hardness of skin at the injection site, fever, lack of appetite, muscle aches, irritability, sleepiness and rashes.

Price

£150 per dose