If you needed another reason to roll up your sleeve for the shingles vaccine, how about protecting your brain? A recent study published in Nature Medicine has revealed a potential link between the recombinant shingles vaccine (yep, the newer one) and a lower risk of developing dementia—and we’re not just talking a few days, but months of precious, clear-headed time.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and beyond took advantage of a real-world “natural experiment” that happened when the U.S. switched from the older live shingles vaccine to the recombinant one in 2017. They tracked over 200,000 older adults and made a surprising discovery: those who got the recombinant vaccine lived 17% longer without a dementia diagnosis—an average of 164 extra diagnosis-free days!
And here’s the kicker: this vaccine even outperformed other common ones like the flu or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) in reducing dementia risk.
Why does this matter? Because dementia affects millions worldwide and prevention options are slim. If a simple shot can delay or reduce your chances, that’s news worth cheering about. While the researchers are careful to note that this is an observational study (not a full-blown clinical trial), the results are striking and could pave the way for more research—and maybe even policy changes.
One particularly heartening detail? The benefit was seen in both men and women, though it was even more pronounced in women. “The consistency of the association in both sexes is important from a public-health perspective,” the authors noted, adding that this kind of impact is “clinically meaningful.”
While the exact reason for the dementia delay isn’t crystal clear, researchers suspect it could be tied to the vaccine’s ability to prevent herpes zoster (shingles), which has long been linked to cognitive decline. Plus, the recombinant version contains immunostimulants that might give your immune system a little extra oomph in protecting your brain.
“It’s rare to find such a robust association with a routine vaccine, especially one that’s already widely available and recommended,” said lead author Dr. Maxime Taquet. “This could be a game-changer in how we think about dementia prevention.”
The takeaway? A jab in the arm might just buy you some extra time with your memories intact—and that’s worth a trip to the clinic.
Curious about the science and what it could mean for you or a loved one?
Check out the full article here for all the fascinating details:
Read the ABC News article
