You cannot spread shingles to others. But people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.¹

When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone's immune system is lowered.¹

There is a chickenpox vaccine, but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications.

The recommended 2 doses of the vaccine is estimated to offer 98% protection from chickenpox in children and 75% protection in adolescents and adults.⁶

It may be possible to develop the infection after vaccination. Similarly, there is a chance that someone who has received the vaccine could develop chickenpox after coming in close contact with a person who has shingles.

References

1. https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Chickenpox/
2. UK Health Security Agency – The Green Book – Chapter 34: Varicella
3. Dworkin RH., Johnson RW., Breuer J., et al. Recommendations for the Management of Herpes Zoster. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2007;44:S1-26.
4. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: The Pink Book – Chapter 22: Varicella. 2015a.
5. Gnann JW. Varicella-Zoster Virus: Atypical Presentations and Unusual Complications. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2002;186:s91-8.
6. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/chickenpox