Study: Shingles vaccination can reduce risk of dementia
By Katie Kirby
Communications Director
Alzheimer’s Association
COLUMBUS – A new study found the shingles vaccination cut older adults' risk of developing dementia over the next seven years by 20%.
The research is part of a growing understanding of how healthy lifestyle choices and decisions influence brain health and can lower the risk of dementia.
The researcher at Stanford University overseeing the study found that women seem to benefit more from the vaccine, particularly important as they're at higher risk of dementia. The study is significant as the virus that causes shingles is a risk for dementia and the vaccine decreases dementia risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Americans 50 and older are urged to get the newer vaccine that's proven more effective against shingles than its predecessor. The CDC says that about 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risks increase with age and for those with a weakened immune system. Most people only have shingles once, but some individuals may experience multiple outbreaks.
Anyone who’s had chickenpox – nearly everyone born before 1980 – carries the shingles virus for the duration of their life. It hides in nerves and can break out when the immune system weakens from illness or age, causing painful, blister-like sores that can last for weeks.
The research on the shingles vaccine supports earlier research conducted and announced at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC).
The research found there is a hidden benefit to getting annual vaccines, such as the one for the flu. According to published research studying nearly 2 million participants, people who do not get vaccinated against influenza have a 60% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia, compared to people who do get their annual flu shot.
Annual flu vaccinations offer protection against the flu virus, but research is showing that they also improve long-term health outcomes such as reducing risk for Alzheimer’s, cardiac arrest and hospitalizations due to diabetes.
“Annual vaccinations offer protection against certain diseases, but we are discovering that they also improve long-term health outcomes such as reducing our risk for Alzheimer’s, cardiac arrest and hospitalizations due to diabetes,” said Pam Myers, senior director, programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio and Central Ohio Chapters.
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 236,200 in Ohio. A total of 414,000 Ohio caregivers provide 624 million hours of unpaid care each year, valued at more than $11.4 billion.
The Alzheimer’s Association Central Ohio Chapter serves 19 counties: Athens, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Union and Washington. To learn more about Alzheimer’s or dementia and to access free support and resources, visit alz.org/centralohio or call the Central Ohio Chapter at 614.457.6003.