Does the Shingles Vaccine Lower the Risk of Dementia?

Jasmine C

28 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

Brain, Mental health

What Did the Research Discover?

Researchers wanted to see if the newer recombinant shingles vaccine could lower the risk of dementia. They used a "natural experiment," which means they studied a situation that happened naturally rather than setting up a traditional clinical trial. When the U.S. switched from the older live shingles vaccine to the newer recombinant vaccine in 2017, scientists took the opportunity to compare dementia rates between people who received each vaccine.

The study included over 200,000 adults who were 65 years or older and received a shingles vaccine. Researchers used electronic health records to track whether these individuals later developed dementia. They compared two groups:

103,837 people who got the recombinant vaccine between 2017 and 2020
103,837 people who got the older live vaccine between 2014 and 2017

The results showed that people who received the recombinant shingles vaccine had a 17% lower risk of developing dementia within six years. On average, those who were later diagnosed with dementia lived about 164 more days without symptoms compared to those who got the live vaccine. The protective effect was found in both men and women, but women seemed to benefit more.

Interestingly, the recombinant shingles vaccine was also associated with a lower risk of dementia than two other common vaccines given to older adults: the flu vaccine and the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

How Can I Apply This Information?

This study suggests that the recombinant shingles vaccine may be associated with a lower risk of dementia, but more research is needed. Scientists are still trying to understand why this effect happens. It may be because the vaccine reduces herpes virus infections, which have been linked to dementia, or because the vaccine helps boost the immune system in a way that protects the brain.

It’s important to remember that this study is observational, meaning it shows a connection but does not prove that the vaccine directly prevents dementia. A larger, more controlled study is needed to confirm these findings.

If you're eligible for a shingles vaccine, this research suggests an added potential benefit beyond preventing shingles itself. Talk to your doctor to see if the recombinant shingles vaccine is right for you.

Source:

Taquet M, Dercon Q, Todd JA, Harrison PJ. The recombinant shingles vaccine is associated with lower risk of dementia. Nature Medicine. 2024 Oct;30(10):2777-81. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11485228/

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