Shingles Vaccine May Also Fight Dementia, Study Suggests

New research provides strong evidence that the shingles vaccine could significantly lower a person's risk of developing dementia. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting the vaccine, called Shingrix, may also reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Shingles is a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus. One in three people in the US will develop it in their lifetime. However, vaccination rates remain low. Only about 35% of Americans over 60 are vaccinated. Medical experts say the vaccine is highly effective. They blame low uptake on "vaccine fatigue" among the public. The potential protective effect against dementia is linked to how the vaccine guards the brain. Shingles can inflame blood vessels and nerves. This may damage the brain over time and increase dementia risk. By preventing shingles, the vaccine may prevent this damage.