If an adult has not had chickenpox disease or vaccination, should they get the shingles vaccine or the chickenpox vaccine?

Nearly all Canadians 50 years of age and older have had a prior chickenpox infection. Adults eligible for the shingles vaccine can receive it, even if they do not remember having had chickenpox (varicella) disease. Before shingles vaccination, do not get a blood test for chickenpox disease history. Learn more about the shingles vaccines here.

 

In the rare case that an adult over 50 years of age has a blood test that shows they are not immune to varicella (chickenpox), they should be vaccinated with two doses of varicella vaccine (not the shingles vaccine). If you have more questions, please speak with your healthcare provider.