Brown Study Links Shingles Vaccine to 24% Lower Dementia Risk in Adults 66 and Older
Updated
Updated · Newswise · Jun 15
Brown Study Links Shingles Vaccine to 24% Lower Dementia Risk in Adults 66 and Older
3 articles · Updated · Newswise · Jun 15
Summary
More than 500,000 Medicare and electronic health records showed older adults in skilled-nursing settings who received the recombinant shingles vaccine had a 24% lower relative risk of dementia over four years.
A 6-percentage-point absolute risk reduction emerged when researchers compared patients age 66 and older who got at least one dose within 12 months of nursing-facility admission with those who did not.
Brown University researchers said the target-trial emulation suggests an association rather than proof of causation and called for further study in this high-risk population.
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, also highlighted low uptake of the shingles vaccine, particularly among adults in skilled-nursing facilities.
With dementia rates rising, why is a potentially protective vaccine so underused in nursing homes?
Could a vaccine's immune-boosting component be a key to fighting Alzheimer's disease?
Shingles Vaccination Linked to 30% Lower Dementia Risk: New Evidence, Mechanisms, and Public Health Implications
Overview
Recent scientific breakthroughs have revealed that shingles vaccination not only prevents the painful illness of shingles but also plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health by reducing the risk of dementia in older adults. A major study highlighted this connection, showing that both Zostavax and Shingrix vaccines are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. These findings suggest that shingles vaccination offers both physical and cognitive protection, making it a valuable tool for healthy aging. As research continues, the evidence supports the broader benefits of vaccination beyond just preventing shingles.