
Vaccines Might Lower Dementia Risk Through Trained Immunity, Researchers Propose
A growing body of evidence links routine vaccines (including flu, shingles, RSV, Tdap, pneumococcal, hepatitis A/B, and typhoid) with lower dementia risk. A leading hypothesis is that vaccines train the innate immune system via epigenetic changes, enabling stronger, non-specific responses that may reduce brain inflammation and slow cognitive decline. While data from BCG studies and population analyses support the idea, the exact mechanisms remain unproven and require more research. If validated, this could broaden understanding of vaccine benefits beyond targeted pathogen protection.








