Yes. Some people develop shingles years after getting the chickenpox vaccine, but the CDC says shingles is much less common after vaccination than after having chickenpox. The vaccine lowers the risk; it does not eliminate it.
Why shingles can happen after chickenpox vaccination
Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV). After an infection, the virus can remain inactive in the body and reactivate years later as shingles. The chickenpox vaccine does not make shingles impossible: the CDC says some vaccinated people later develop it, though it is much less common than after chickenpox disease. The CDC guidance does not give a specific shingles rate for people who received the chickenpox vaccine.
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The CDC estimates that about 1 in 3 people in the United States will have shingles in their lifetime. That is a general U.S. estimate, not a risk estimate for people who were vaccinated against chickenpox. It should not be used to calculate an individual vaccinated person’s odds. CDC: About Shingles
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What shingles can look and feel like
Shingles often begins with pain, itching, or tingling in one area, followed by a rash that is usually on one side of the body or face and may form blisters. It can cause complications: the CDC identifies long-term nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), as the most common. About 10% to 18% of people who have shingles experience PHN, according to the CDC. Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss. CDC: Shingles Signs and Symptoms
Contact a healthcare professional promptly about a new painful or blistering rash, especially if it is near an eye or you have a weakened immune system. A clinician can assess the symptoms; this description cannot diagnose a rash.
Chickenpox vaccine and shingles vaccine are different
The chickenpox vaccine (varicella vaccine) helps prevent chickenpox. Shingrix is a separate vaccine recommended by the CDC to prevent shingles in eligible adults. The CDC recommends two Shingrix doses for adults aged 50 and older, and for adults aged 19 and older with weakened immune systems due to disease or therapy. The usual interval is 2 to 6 months; some immunocompromised adults who need an accelerated schedule may receive the second dose 1 to 2 months after the first. The CDC says eligible adults should get Shingrix even if they previously received the chickenpox vaccine. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist about personal eligibility and timing. CDC: Shingles Vaccine Recommendations
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For context, the CDC reports Shingrix is over 90% effective against shingles in adults aged 50 and older with healthy immune systems, with estimates of 97% for ages 50–69 and 91% for ages 70 and older. These figures describe Shingrix effectiveness, not the effectiveness of the chickenpox vaccine against shingles and not the risk among people vaccinated against chickenpox.
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Shingles is not the same as breakthrough chickenpox
Breakthrough varicella means a wild-type VZV infection occurring more than 42 days after chickenpox vaccination. It is chickenpox, not shingles. A rash or other symptoms still warrant medical assessment if you are unsure what is causing them. CDC: Clinical Overview of Chickenpox
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