New Study Links Shingrix to Lower Heart Disease Risk, but Experts Demand Rigorous Trials

Key points

• A new study published in Nature Medicine found that Shingrix reduced the risk of ischemic heart disease by 10% and heart failure by 12% over seven years in Americans aged 60 and older.
• The study compared Shingrix recipients to those who received an older shingles vaccine no longer available in the U.S.
• While 'biohackers' are using the vaccine to ward off heart issues and delay dementia, medical professionals insist on stronger clinical evidence before recommending it for these purposes.
• The findings build on previous research linking Shingrix to a lower dementia risk, though experts emphasize these are associations, not proof of causation.

Background

In August 2026, a Brown University study of over 509,000 adults aged 66 and older found that receiving at least one Shingrix dose was associated with a 24% lower risk of dementia diagnoses over four years compared to unvaccinated peers. This study, funded by GSK, used electronic health records and Medicare data but could not prove causation. Neurologists noted that while associations exist, mechanisms are unclear, and randomized trials are needed to confirm any brain-protective or cardiovascular benefits.

Why it matters

The potential for a widely available vaccine to offer cardiovascular and neurological benefits could significantly impact public health strategies for older adults, but premature adoption without rigorous proof could lead to misinformed health decisions.

What to watch

Medical professionals are calling for rigorous clinical trials to confirm the cardiovascular and dementia-prevention benefits of Shingrix before recommending it for these purposes.