If you are thinking about the chickenpox vaccine for yourself or your child, it is completely natural to wonder what it might mean years down the line. Shingles is one of the questions we hear most often at the pharmacy counter, and it is a fair one to ask.
The reassuring part is that the chickenpox vaccine does not appear to raise your overall risk of shingles, and research suggests vaccinated people may be less likely to develop it. We will look at how chickenpox and shingles are connected, what the evidence shows, and what side effects to expect.
How Are Chickenpox and Shingles Connected?
Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, known as varicella zoster. After chickenpox clears, the virus stays dormant in the nerve cells and can reactivate years later as shingles, often when immunity dips with age, illness or stress.
This is why anyone who has had chickenpox carries some lifetime risk of shingles. It usually appears as a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body, and some people experience lingering nerve pain afterwards.
Can the Chickenpox Vaccine Cause Shingles?
It is possible, but uncommon, and cases tend to be milder. The chickenpox vaccine contains a weakened live form of the virus, which can also remain dormant in the body.
However, the vaccine strain appears far less likely to reactivate than the virus caught through natural infection. Studies from countries with established childhood programmes, such as the United States, have found that vaccinated children develop shingles at lower rates than children who had chickenpox itself.
Does Childhood Vaccination Affect Shingles in Adults?
The evidence here is mixed rather than alarming. One theory suggests that adults who are exposed to children with chickenpox receive a natural boost to their immunity, which may help keep shingles at bay.
If fewer children catch chickenpox, that natural boost becomes less common. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation weighed this carefully before recommending the UK programme, and the separate adult shingles vaccine exists to protect those most at risk of reactivation.
What Are the Common Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects?
Most chickenpox vaccine side effects are mild and settle within a few days. They can include:
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given
- A mild temperature
- A few spots, sometimes near the injection site, appearing a few weeks later
Serious reactions are rare. If a rash develops, avoid close contact with pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems until it clears, as the vaccine virus can very occasionally pass on. The NHS guidance on the chickenpox vaccine explains who can and cannot have it.
Is There a Vaccine for Chickenpox and Shingles?
There is no single vaccine for chickenpox and shingles, as each has a different job. The chickenpox vaccine prevents the initial infection, while the shingles vaccine is given to adults to reduce the chance of the dormant virus reactivating. Your pharmacist can advise which, if either, suits your age and health.
Protect Yourself Against Chickenpox with Touchwood Pharmacy
If you are unsure whether the chickenpox vaccine is suitable for you or your child, our qualified pharmacist team can talk through your immunity, medical history and whether vaccination is right for you.
Book your chickenpox vaccination with Touchwood Pharmacy today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults have the chickenpox vaccine?
Yes. Adults who have never had chickenpox and are not immune can usually have the vaccine privately, following a consultation with a pharmacist.
If my child is vaccinated, will they never get shingles?
There is no guarantee, but the risk of shingles appears lower after vaccination than after catching chickenpox naturally.
How many doses of the chickenpox vaccine are needed?
Two doses are usually recommended, given at least four weeks apart, for the best level of protection.
Is the chickenpox vaccine available on the NHS?
From January 2026, the chickenpox vaccine is offered to young children on the NHS as part of the combined MMRV vaccine. Most adults will need to have it privately.
Can I have the chickenpox vaccine if I am pregnant?
No. As it is a live vaccine, it is not recommended during pregnancy, and pregnancy should be avoided for a short period afterwards.
