Home / Health / Shingles Vaccine May Cut Dementia Risk
Shingles Vaccine May Cut Dementia Risk
26 Aug
Summary
- Shingrix vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia diagnosis in four years.
- One dementia case potentially prevented for every 17 vaccinated people.
- Study suggests a possible link, but not definitive proof of prevention.
A recent study indicates a potential link between the Shingrix shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of dementia in older adults residing in skilled nursing facilities across the United States. The research, which analyzed data from over 509,000 individuals aged 66 and older between 2017 and 2022, observed that those who received the vaccine were 24 percent less likely to develop dementia within a four-year period.
Researchers estimated that for every 17 individuals vaccinated with Shingrix, one case of dementia might be prevented. This finding aligns with earlier studies on an older shingles vaccine. However, the study authors emphasize that because the research was observational, it cannot definitively prove the vaccine prevents dementia, noting potential differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
Further investigation, including clinical trials, is necessary to confirm if shingles vaccination directly lowers dementia risk. If confirmed, this could highlight significant cognitive health benefits from a widely available preventive measure. The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of Shingrix, but GSK had no control over the study's design or findings.
