Shingles Vaccine Cuts Dementia Risk 5.8% in 509,000 Older Adults
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 28
Shingles Vaccine Cuts Dementia Risk 5.8% in 509,000 Older Adults
1 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 28
Summary
A June 16 Annals of Internal Medicine study found nursing-home residents 66 and older who got at least one shingles shot within a year of admission had a 5.8% lower dementia risk over four years.
More than 509,000 U.S. health records from 2017 to 2022 underpin the finding, and researchers estimate 1 in 17 dementia cases could potentially be prevented through shingles vaccination.
Doctors say the likely mechanism is indirect: preventing shingles may reduce brain inflammation, vascular damage and buildup of amyloid and tau proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Comparable studies in Wales, Australia and Canada found 1.8% to 3.5% lower dementia risk, though the apparent benefit was weaker in men and in some people previously given Zostavax.
Uptake remains low despite that evidence: under 2% of eligible nursing-facility patients had received Shingrix, and by 2022 only about one-third of Americans 50 and older had at least one shingles dose.
If the shingles shot helps prevent dementia, what other common vaccines could be secretly guarding our brains?
This vaccine may be a powerful tool against dementia. Why are so few eligible Americans actually getting it?
Does the shingles vaccine protect the brain by stopping the virus, or by training our immune system?
Shingles Vaccine Cuts Dementia Risk by One-Fifth and Slows Aging: Latest Research Highlights Urgent Need for Wider Uptake
Overview
Recent research, including a major U.S. study led by Kaley Hayes, has strengthened the link between the shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of dementia. The study was carefully designed to mimic a randomized controlled trial, which adds credibility to its findings. Researchers addressed key challenges like potential biases by studying people eligible for vaccination based on birth date, not just those who chose to get vaccinated. This approach helps ensure the results are reliable. Overall, the evidence suggests that shingles vaccination could be a valuable tool for protecting cognitive health as well as preventing shingles.