All articles tagged with #shingles vaccine
A new study in Nature Medicine suggests GSK’s Shingrix vaccine may reduce heart disease and failure risks in older adults, but doctors urge caution pending rigorous clinical trials.
Several studies have found associations between certain adult vaccines (notably high-dose influenza and recombinant shingles vaccines, and possibly the TB vaccine BCG) and a lower risk of dementia, with the strongest signals for high-dose flu vaccines and greater benefit in women. However, these findings are associative, not causal, and scientists say mechanisms are unclear, so randomized trials are needed to confirm any brain-protective effects.
A Nature Medicine study using US electronic health record data finds that older adults vaccinated predominantly with the recombinant shingles vaccine exhibit a lower cardiovascular disease burden over seven years, with reduced risks for heart failure and ischemic heart disease, and a modest, sex-specific reduction in ischemic stroke; though associations persist across analyses, causality cannot be established and effects may wane over time.
A Brown University study of more than 509,000 adults aged 66+ found that those who had at least one Shingrix dose showed a 24% relative reduction in dementia diagnoses over four years versus unvaccinated peers, based on electronic health records and Medicare data; researchers stress this is an association, not proof of causation, and the vaccine’s primary purpose is shingles prevention, though explanations include fewer shingles-related complications and potential vascular benefits. The study was funded by GSK.
Neurologist Dr. Ajeet Sodhi explains that while some research links the shingles vaccine to a lower dementia risk, the findings show an association rather than proof of causation, and more studies are needed to establish any definitive protective effect.
A US study of about 70,000 adults aged 60+ found that the recombinant shingles vaccine Shingrix is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease years after vaccination compared with the older live vaccine, with the strongest effect on ischemic heart disease and heart failure; the finding hints at immune-system changes beyond shingles, though the observational design aims to reduce bias by comparing groups who chose vaccination rather than vaccinated versus unvaccinated.
A Brown University–led analysis of more than 500,000 adults aged 66+ in skilled nursing facilities found that receiving at least one Shingrix dose was associated with a 24% lower risk of a dementia diagnosis over four years, compared with unvaccinated peers (18.8% vs 24.6%). Using Medicare claims and electronic health records with target trial emulation, the study cannot prove causation and may reflect healthier baseline status among vaccine recipients; more research, including trials, is needed. Funding from GlaxoSmithKline was disclosed, though the sponsor had no control over study design or publication.
A 2013 Welsh, age-based shingles-vaccine rollout created a natural experiment showing people offered the vaccine were about 20% less likely to develop dementia, with some data suggesting vaccines might also slow progression in those already with dementia. Across multiple vaccines (influenza, BCG, shingles, and others) there are growing links to lower dementia risk, likely via trained immunity that broadens immune protection. While promising, dementia vaccines face past trial failures and require coordinated, long-term research and funding before they can become a widespread preventive strategy.
GSK is launching a large study to determine whether the shingles vaccine Shingrix can lower dementia risk, prompted by observational data suggesting vaccinated individuals may have fewer dementia cases; the trial aims to establish causality and could influence dementia prevention strategies if results are favorable.
A Vox-tied look at longevity highlights a potential dementia-reducing link from the shingles vaccine, but the practical core emphasizes four actions: stay socially connected to cut isolation-related risk, follow a Mediterranean-style diet for cancer/heart/cognitive benefits, engage in regular strength training to preserve muscle, and prioritize sleep—especially deep sleep—with a consistent schedule. The goal is to maximize healthy years (healthspan) rather than chasing an arbitrary longevity number, and it’s never too late to start.
Three new studies suggest potential stroke-prevention strategies: a Mediterranean-style diet may lower risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in women; the shingles vaccine was associated with fewer major adverse cardiac events in people with ASCVD in an observational study (not yet peer-reviewed, so causality isn’t established); and the oral anticoagulant asundexian may reduce secondary ischemic stroke risk in patients who’ve had a prior stroke or high‑risk TIA by inhibiting factor XIa. Stroke is a leading cause of death, with many events potentially preventable through lifestyle and medical interventions.
A Brown University-led analysis of more than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries found that older adults who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine after entering skilled nursing facilities had about 24% fewer dementia diagnoses over four years compared with those unvaccinated, though the study cannot prove causation and residual differences between groups may influence results.
A real-world study of 509,926 nursing‑facility residents found that those who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine within 12 months of admission had a 24% lower risk of developing dementia over four years than unvaccinated peers, though the observational design cannot establish causation. Uptake was low (8,843 vaccinated), and researchers note potential neuroinflammatory mechanisms and confounders; the study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, and Shingrix’s real‑world cognitive benefits add to questions about why vaccines might protect brain health.
A large U.S. Medicare study (1.5 million beneficiaries) found that older adults who received the two-dose recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) had a lower incidence of dementia than unvaccinated peers, with about a 28–33% reduced risk for any dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia over up to three years and continued protection beyond three years; results are observational and can’t prove causality, but align with other real-world evidence and call for trials to confirm.
FDA withdrew the publication of safety studies on COVID-19 and shingles vaccines after authors drew broad conclusions not supported by the underlying data, a move the agency says preserves scientific integrity; the piece also notes vaccine-policy shifts tied to RFK Jr.’s stance, while health officials reiterate that vaccines remain safe and effective.