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Shingles Vaccine May Delay Dementia Onset by 17%, Study Finds

Jul 25, 2024, 07:16 PM

Recent research has found that the shingles vaccine may significantly delay the onset of dementia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, indicates that the recombinant shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is associated with a 17% reduction in the risk of dementia. This delay is equivalent to up to nine months of healthy brain function post-vaccination. The findings, from an Oxford University study, suggest that the vaccine, which is currently offered to people over 65 on the NHS, could play a crucial role in combating brain disorders. Scientists believe that existing drugs, such as the shingles vaccine, could potentially lower the risk of dementia, providing a new avenue for prevention.