Shingles Vaccine Linked to Significant Health Benefits, Large Study Finds

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Reduced Risk of Vascular Dementia, Heart Problems

A groundbreaking study suggests the shingles vaccine may offer significant benefits beyond its primary purpose of preventing painful shingles outbreaks. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a potential link between receiving the shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of developing vascular dementia, cardiovascular events, and even death in adults over 50.

The findings, presented last week at IDWEEK 2025 in Atlanta, examined health records from 174,000 American adults. Researchers followed participants who received the vaccination over periods ranging from three months to seven years.

The results were striking. Those who received the shingles vaccine showed approximately half the risk of developing vascular dementia compared to unvaccinated individuals. Additionally, vaccinated participants demonstrated a 25% lower risk of heart attack or stroke, a 27% lower risk of blood clots, and a 21% lower risk of death.

“Our study findings show that the shingles vaccine may help lower those risks, especially in people already at higher risk for heart attack or stroke,” said presenting author Dr. Ali Dehghani, an internal medicine specialist at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine.

Shingles, characterized by a painful, blistery rash, occurs when the varicella zoster virus (which initially causes chicken pox) reactivates after lying dormant in the body for years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shingles affects one in three Americans, and more than 99% of those born before 1980 have had chicken pox, making them susceptible to developing shingles later in life.

“Shingles is more than just a rash — it can raise the risk of serious problems for the heart and brain,” Dehghani noted. Previous research has demonstrated that shingles can lead to various cardiovascular and neurological complications.

While these findings build on past studies suggesting broader health benefits from the shingles vaccine, experts caution that more research is needed to establish direct causality. Dr. Aaron Glatt, an infectious disease physician at Mount Sinai South Nassau and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the study “very interesting” and noted it “supported prior evidence that the shingles vaccine may offer several benefits for general health.”

However, Glatt, who was not involved in the research, emphasized that the exact mechanism behind this protective effect remains unclear. “There are a number of possible mechanisms that could contribute to this association, including decreased inflammation,” he explained.

The CDC currently recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to prevent shingles and related complications for adults aged 50 and older. The vaccine is also recommended for adults 19 and older who are or will become immunodeficient or immunosuppressed.

These promising findings could potentially influence vaccination rates, especially among those concerned about dementia and cardiovascular health. With an aging population globally, vaccines that offer multiple health benefits could play an increasingly important role in preventive healthcare strategies.

As researchers continue to investigate the full range of benefits associated with the shingles vaccine, this study highlights the importance of vaccination not only for its intended purpose but potentially for broader health outcomes. For now, as Dr. Glatt noted, “It is very comforting to know that the shingles vaccine is certainly associated with overall significant health benefits beyond its intended purpose.”