Vaccination Clinic
Where Can I Get Private Vaccinations in Cardiff?
Hopwoods Pharmacy in Cardiff provides private vaccination services for adults who are not eligible for NHS immunisation programmes or who wish to access vaccinations outside of NHS provision. Our vaccination clinic is delivered by our pharmacist independent prescriber trained in immunisation technique and anaphylaxis management.
We offer shingles, HPV, chickenpox, pneumonia, and RSV vaccinations for eligible adults and children. All vaccines are administered following clinical assessment to ensure suitability and safety.
What Private Vaccinations Are Available?
We provide the following vaccinations at our Cardiff pharmacy:
Shingles Vaccination
What it protects against: Herpes zoster (shingles) – a painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox.
Who should consider it: Adults aged 50 and over, particularly those aged 60-79 who are at highest risk of shingles and its complications. The NHS currently offers shingles vaccination to adults aged 65 and 70-79, meaning many at-risk individuals (including those aged 60-64) fall outside NHS eligibility despite clinical recommendations.
Why it matters: Shingles can have a large impact on quality of life – severe pain that can persist for months or years after the rash heals (post-herpetic neuralgia), sleep disruption, and functional impairment. Approximately 1 in 4 adults will develop shingles during their lifetime, with risk increasing significantly after age 50.
Clinical evidence: The recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) demonstrates over 90% efficacy in preventing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults over 50, according to JCVI recommendations. Two doses are required, 2-6 months apart.
Price: £200 per dose (two doses required for full protection)
HPV Vaccination
What it protects against: Human papillomavirus (HPV) – a group of viruses that cause genital warts and increase the risk of cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers.
Who should consider it: Adults up to age 45 who were not vaccinated in the NHS schools programme (introduced in 2008 for girls, extended to boys in 2019). Particularly relevant for adults with new sexual partners or those at increased risk of HPV-related disease.
Why it matters: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. While most infections clear without symptoms, persistent infection can lead to cancer development years or decades later. Vaccination before exposure provides the best protection, but adults who may have been exposed can still benefit from reduced risk of new HPV types and cancer prevention.
Clinical evidence: The HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (which cause 70% of cervical cancers) and types 6 and 11 (which cause 90% of genital warts). JCVI recommends vaccination for all adolescents, but adults up to age 45 can benefit, particularly if not previously exposed to all vaccine-covered types.
Course: Three doses over 6 months (0, 2, 6 months)
Price: £170 per dose (three doses required)
Chickenpox Vaccination
What it protects against: Varicella-zoster virus – the virus that causes chickenpox (and later, shingles).
Who should consider it: Adults and children who have never had chickenpox (particularly healthcare workers, teachers, or those planning pregnancy), non-immune adults and children in contact with immunocompromised individuals, and adults with high occupational exposure risk.
Why it matters: Chickenpox in adults is significantly more severe than in children, with higher rates of pneumonia, encephalitis, and hospitalisation. Adults account for only 5% of chickenpox cases but 25% of chickenpox-related deaths. If you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox, we can discuss antibody testing during consultation.
Clinical evidence: The varicella vaccine provides approximately 90% protection against chickenpox infection and over 95% protection against severe disease. Two doses are required for optimal protection.
Course: Two doses, 4-8 weeks apart
Price: £65 per dose (two doses required)
Pneumonia Vaccination
What it protects against: Streptococcus pneumoniae – bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.
Who should consider it: Adults aged 65 and over, and adults under 65 with chronic health conditions (chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, cochlear implants, CSF leaks) who have not received NHS vaccination.
Why it matters: Pneumococcal disease causes over 5,000 cases of invasive disease annually in the UK, with highest rates in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Patients often ask about pneumonia vaccination during autumn and winter when respiratory infections increase, but protection is valuable year-round.
Clinical evidence: The NHS uses two pneumococcal vaccines – PPV23 (polysaccharide vaccine covering 23 strains) and PCV13 (conjugate vaccine covering 13 strains with stronger immune response). JCVI recommends PCV13 for high-risk groups followed by PPV23, or PPV23 alone for adults over 65. Vaccination reduces invasive pneumococcal disease risk by approximately 60-70% in older adults.
Price: £70 per dose
RSV Vaccination
What it protects against: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a common respiratory virus that causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly severe in older adults and infants.
Who should consider it: Adults aged 60 and over, particularly those with chronic heart or lung conditions, diabetes, or weakened immune systems. RSV causes significant morbidity in older adults, with seasonal surges typically between November and March.
Why it matters: RSV is often overlooked as a cause of severe respiratory illness in older adults. Each winter, RSV contributes to thousands of hospitalisations and hundreds of deaths in the UK among older people. Symptoms can be severe and prolonged, and recovery may take weeks.
Clinical evidence: The RSV vaccine (Arexvy) was licensed in 2023 following clinical trials showing approximately 80% efficacy in preventing lower respiratory tract disease in adults over 60. JCVI is currently reviewing recommendations for NHS provision. This is a seasonal vaccine, ideally administered in autumn before RSV circulation increases.
Price: £235 per dose (single dose provides protection for the season)
Who Administers the Vaccinations?
All vaccinations at Hopwoods Pharmacy are administered by our pharmacist independent prescriber with specific training in:
- Immunisation technique and injection administration
- Anaphylaxis recognition and emergency management
- Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and vaccine protocols
- Cold chain management and vaccine storage
- Contraindication screening and patient assessment
Our pharmacist is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council as an independent prescriber and maintains professional indemnity insurance for vaccination services. Our pharmacy has emergency equipment including adrenaline and resuscitation facilities on-site.
What Happens During Your Vaccination Appointment?
Your vaccination appointment includes:
- Pre-vaccination assessment – Medical history, current medications, allergies, previous vaccination reactions, and immunosuppression screening
- Contraindication check – Ensuring the vaccine is safe and appropriate for you
- Information provision – Discussion of what the vaccine protects against, expected side effects, and when to seek medical attention
- Consent – Written informed consent after you have had opportunity to ask questions
- Vaccine administration – Injection into the upper arm (deltoid muscle) using aseptic technique
- Post-vaccination observation – 15-minute waiting period in the pharmacy to monitor for allergic reactions
- Documentation – Vaccination record provided for your GP and personal records
The appointment typically takes 20 minutes including observation time.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Most vaccine side effects are mild and resolve within a few days:
Common (more than 1 in 10 people):
- Injection site pain, redness, or swelling
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Mild fever
Less common:
- Nausea
- Swollen lymph nodes in the arm
- Rash
- Joint pain
Rare but serious:
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – occurs in approximately 1 in 1 million doses. This is why we observe patients for 15 minutes post-vaccination and have emergency equipment on-site.
We will provide written and verbal information about expected side effects and when to seek medical attention during your appointment.
Who Should NOT Have These Vaccines?
Vaccinations are not suitable if you:
- Are currently unwell with fever (defer vaccination until recovered)
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the same vaccine or its components
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (applies to some vaccines – discuss during consultation)
- Are severely immunosuppressed (live vaccines contraindicated; inactivated vaccines may require specialist advice)
- Have received another vaccine in the past 7 days (spacing may be required for some vaccines)
Specific contraindications apply to individual vaccines. We will assess your eligibility during the pre-vaccination consultation.
Why Choose Private Vaccination?
NHS vaccination programmes are targeted at highest-risk groups based on cost-effectiveness analysis and public health priorities. However, many individuals who would benefit from vaccination fall outside NHS eligibility criteria.
Private vaccination is appropriate if you:
- Fall outside NHS age or risk criteria but wish to protect yourself (e.g., aged 60-64 for shingles)
- Were not eligible for NHS schools vaccination programmes (e.g., HPV for adults born before 1991)
- Have occupational exposure risk requiring vaccination (e.g., chickenpox for healthcare workers)
- Wish to access seasonal vaccines not currently offered on NHS (e.g., RSV)
- Want vaccination at a time convenient to you without waiting for NHS appointments
Patients seek private vaccination for proactive health protection, particularly when they understand their personal risk factors or have witnessed complications in family members.
Vaccination Pricing
| Vaccine | Price per Dose | Doses Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles | £200 | 2 doses (2-6 months apart) |
| HPV | £170 | 3 doses (0, 2, 6 months) |
| Chickenpox | £65 | 2 doses (4-8 weeks apart) |
| Pneumonia | £70 | 1 dose (or 2 doses for high-risk patients) |
| RSV | £235 | 1 dose (seasonal, annually) |
Consultation is included in the vaccination price. Payment is required at the time of service.
How Do I Book?
To book your vaccination appointment:
- Visit the pharmacy and speak to a team member
- Online booking – [Click Here]
- Email - complete the contact us section and our pharmacist will get back to you with enquiry forms to complete.
Before your appointment:
- Consider which vaccine(s) you require
- Check your vaccination history if possible
- List any medical conditions and current medications
- Note any previous allergic reactions to vaccines
Location: Hopwoods Pharmacy, Cardiff, serving Cardiff and South Wales communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple vaccines at the same appointment?
In most cases, yes. Multiple vaccines can be safely administered during the same appointment (in different arms). However, spacing requirements apply to some vaccines. Our pharmacist will advise on appropriate scheduling during your consultation.
Will my GP be informed that I've had a private vaccination?
With your consent, we can send a vaccination notification to your GP for their records. This ensures continuity of care and that your NHS vaccination records are complete. We recommend agreeing to this, particularly for vaccines that may interact with future NHS vaccinations (e.g., shingles, pneumonia).
How do I know if I've already had chickenpox?
Most adults born in the UK before the 1990s will have had chickenpox during childhood. If you are uncertain, try discussing with parents and/or family members to confirm immunity status. However, vaccination is safe even if you have had chickenpox previously.
Are these vaccines the same as those used by the NHS?
Yes. We use the same licensed vaccines as the NHS. All vaccines are stored according to cold chain requirements and sourced from licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers.
How long does vaccine protection last?
Protection duration varies by vaccine:
- Shingles (Shingrix): At least 10+ years (ongoing studies)
- HPV: Likely lifelong protection
- Chickenpox: Likely lifelong protection after two doses
- Pneumonia: 5-10 years (PPV23 may require boosters)
- RSV: Single season (annual vaccination recommended)
Key Takeaways
✓ Private vaccination clinic available at Hopwoods Pharmacy, Cardiff ✓ Shingles, HPV, chickenpox, pneumonia, and RSV vaccines offered for adults outside NHS eligibility ✓ Administered by pharmacist independent prescriber with immunisation training and anaphylaxis management ✓ Clinical assessment and contraindication screening before every vaccination ✓ Walk-in and pre-booked appointments available ✓ GP notification available with consent for continuity of care
Written by Jake Groves (Prescribing Pharmacist)