Overview
- A pooled review of 21 studies involving more than 104 million participants associated shingles vaccination with a 24% lower risk of developing dementia.
- A Stanford-led analysis using an age-based eligibility cutoff in Wales found about a 20% decline in dementia over seven years among those eligible for the earlier shingles shot.
- A December follow-up from Heidelberg University Hospital reported risk reductions across dementia stages, including among people already diagnosed.
- Similar patterns have been reported for other vaccines, including roughly 13% lower dementia risk after flu shots and a 36% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk after pneumococcal vaccination, though these findings are observational.
- Shingrix is recommended primarily to prevent shingles, providing about 90% protection with two doses, and is advised for adults 50 and older and certain immunocompromised people.