Walk-in and appointment-based shingles vaccination at Chemitex Pharmacy, 332 Hornsey Road, Islington. Our on-site Independent Prescriber reviews your eligibility and administers Shingrix the same day, no GP referral needed.
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Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nerve tissue. Decades later, it can reactivate, typically when the immune system is under stress or weakened by age.
The first sign is often a burning or tingling pain on one side of the body or face. A blistering rash follows, usually within two to three days, confined to a single strip of skin along a nerve pathway. Other symptoms include itching, sensitivity to touch, fever, and fatigue.
Most cases resolve within two to four weeks, but the pain does not always go with the rash. Around one in five people develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent nerve pain that can last months or years.
There is no way to predict when the virus will reactivate, and about one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Vaccination is the most reliable way to reduce that risk significantly.
Shingrix is around 97% effective at preventing shingles in adults aged 50 to 69 and around 91% effective in adults aged 70 and over. That level of protection is substantially higher than older single-dose vaccines.
Postherpetic neuralgia is the complication that disrupts daily life the most. Shingrix reduces the risk of PHN by over 89%, even when it cannot fully prevent the initial episode of shingles.
In older adults and those with weakened immune systems, shingles can cause eye inflammation (ophthalmic shingles), hearing loss, facial paralysis, and in rare cases encephalitis. Vaccination significantly lowers the chance of these outcomes.
An episode of shingles typically means two to four weeks off normal activities, and PHN can cause sleep disruption and depression for far longer. For working adults and active retirees, the disruption is not trivial.
Adults aged 65 and over are offered two doses of Shingrix free on the NHS. If you missed your NHS doses or aged out of the NHS cohort, you can still access Shingrix privately at Chemitex Pharmacy.
Adults in this age group are currently prioritised under the NHS shingles programme. If you have not yet received both doses, speak to our pharmacist about completing your course.
Adults aged 18 and over who are severely immunosuppressed, including those on immunosuppressant therapy, chemotherapy, or living with conditions such as HIV, are recommended to receive Shingrix under separate NHS criteria.
If you had chickenpox at any point in your life, the virus is in your system. Having chickenpox, even as a child, is precisely what puts you at risk of shingles later. A history of chickenpox is not a reason to skip vaccination; it is the reason to have it.
Use our online booking system or call 0207 272 4869 to arrange a convenient time. We offer appointments Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:30pm, and Saturday, 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Our Independent Prescriber will review your medical history, current medications, and eligibility during a private consultation. This takes around ten minutes.
If suitable, your vaccination is administered the same day in our private consultation room. We will advise you on what to expect after the injection and schedule your second dose appointment before you leave.
We administer Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), the two-dose vaccine approved by the MHRA and recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). We do not offer the older single-dose Zostavax, which has been withdrawn from routine use in the UK.
Shingrix contains a protein from the surface of the varicella-zoster virus combined with an adjuvant system (AS01B) that stimulates a strong immune response. Because it is a non-live vaccine, it is safe for people with weakened immune systems who cannot receive live vaccines. Two doses are required, typically given two to six months apart.
Private shingles vaccination at Chemitex Pharmacy is £225 per dose (£450 for the full two-dose course). This price includes the clinical consultation with our Independent Prescriber. If you are NHS-eligible and have not yet received your NHS doses, we can advise you on accessing Shingrix through your GP surgery at no charge.
Side effects from Shingrix are common and are a sign the immune system is responding. Most are mild and resolve within two to three days.
These reactions are more frequent with Shingrix than older vaccines because of the adjuvant system used. They are temporary and not a cause for concern. If you have a severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, or symptoms that do not improve within a week, contact 111 or attend your nearest urgent care centre.
Shingrix should not be given to people who:
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine and is generally suitable for people on immunosuppressant therapy. Our Independent Prescriber will confirm your suitability at the consultation. If you are unsure whether any current medication or condition affects your eligibility, call us before booking.
Appointments take around 15 to 20 minutes in total. Here is what to expect:
These two vaccines are sometimes confused because they target the same underlying virus, but they serve completely different purposes and are given at different life stages.
If you have never had chickenpox and want protection, you need the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax). If you have already had chickenpox, including as a child, and you are aged 50 or over (or are immunosuppressed), you need the shingles vaccine (Shingrix). These vaccines should not be given interchangeably.
If you are unsure which applies to you, our pharmacist can advise during your consultation.
We offer both at Chemitex Pharmacy. The chickenpox vaccine is priced at £70 per dose.
Rare for a community pharmacy. Our prescriber assesses and vaccinates in a single visit, no GP referral or separate prescription needed.
332 Hornsey Road is easily reached from Finsbury Park, Holloway Road stations, and the Emirates Stadium area. Paid parking is nearby and the pharmacy is wheelchair accessible.
£225 per dose, covering the consultation. No hidden admin fees or surprise charges at the desk.
We administer the MHRA-approved recombinant vaccine with over 90% efficacy, not a withdrawn or lesser alternative.
Every vaccination appointment takes place in a private room. There is no waiting in the dispensing queue to be seen.
Book online and we can usually see you within 24 to 48 hours. Walk-in enquiries are welcome subject to availability.
Open six days a week, Chemitex Pharmacy is here to support your health. Call us, send an email, or visit our accessible pharmacy near Finsbury Park for all your healthcare needs.
Come and see why families in Islington have trusted Chemitex Pharmacy with their health for over 40 years. We're here for you.
Yes, parking is available right outside the pharmacy.
There's a bus stop just around the corner.
Trusted by generations of families in Islington.
Got some friendly and super quick travel vaccines here as I realised 5 days before travel. The pharmacist was soooo lovely and made the whole appointment easy. She was very informed and answered all my questions with confidence. Will be coming back for any future vaccine needs for sure as the price was much cheaper than the other ones in the area
I came into the chemist on Friday and I was very impressed by your colleague Fiona and how skilled she is with customers, particularly those who are vulnerable. She offered reassurance, was informative, and showed kindness and patience. She is an asset to your business.
Great little local pharmacy with wide selection and convenient hours, always has what I need in stock. Great customer service and advice from a lovely bubbly young woman who works on the till. Would recommend.
I needed to get a Covid and Flu vaccination together, before traveling, and Chemitex were able to give me a next day appointment and a good price.
The service was excellent and friendly.
I thoroughly recommend.
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine and is generally safe alongside blood thinners and most immunosuppressants. Our prescriber will review your medications at the consultation and confirm suitability before proceeding.
Clinical trial data shows Shingrix maintains strong efficacy for at least seven years after the two-dose course. Long-term follow-up studies suggest protection continues beyond that, though research is ongoing.
Yes. Having had shingles does not give you reliable long-term immunity against a second episode. JCVI guidance recommends vaccination once the episode has fully resolved, provided you meet the age criteria.
No. The chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) is a live attenuated vaccine given to prevent initial infection. Shingrix is a non-live recombinant vaccine designed for adults who already carry the dormant virus. They are different products with different mechanisms.
The standard interval is two to six months between the first and second dose. If you have a weakened immune system, the interval can be shortened to one to two months. We will book your second appointment before you leave after the first dose.
Expert tips from your local clinical team.
Chemitex Pharmacy is located at 332 Hornsey Road, London, N7 7HE. It’s just a short walk from Holloway Road and Finsbury Park stations. You’ll also find it near the Emirates Stadium. Book online using the link below, or call our team directly.
