Shingles Vaccine May Reduce Dementia Risk by 20%, Study Finds
Netherlands, Friday, 4 April 2025.
A study by Stanford Medicine indicates that receiving the shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by 20% over seven years, offering new hope in preventive health strategies against cognitive decline.
Groundbreaking Research Design
The Stanford University study, published on April 2, 2025, in Nature, analyzed medical records of 280,000 elderly individuals in Wales, leveraging a unique vaccination policy implemented in September 2013 [1][2]. The policy created a natural experiment by making the vaccine available to those born on or after September 2, 1933, resulting in vaccination rates jumping from 0.01% to 47.2% between age-adjacent groups [3]. This quasi-randomized setup provided researchers with remarkably robust data to assess the vaccine’s impact on cognitive health.
Significant Impact on Public Health
The findings are particularly significant given the current healthcare landscape in the Netherlands, where dementia affects 310,000 people and is projected to reach 500,000 by 2040 [2]. The disease currently accounts for over 10 billion euros in healthcare costs, representing 10% of total healthcare expenditure, with projections indicating an increase to 15 billion euros by 2040 [1]. The potential 20% reduction in dementia risk could translate to substantial healthcare savings and improved quality of life for seniors [1][2].
Biological Mechanisms and Gender Differences
Research indicates that shingles can promote the formation of amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease [6]. The virus may cause inflammation affecting the brain and can directly impact blood vessels, leading to clots and reduced blood flow [6]. Notably, the protective effect appears more pronounced in women, who traditionally face higher dementia risk [3][6]. This gender difference is particularly relevant as women account for one in three dementia cases compared to the general population rate of one in five [1].
Future Research and Implementation
GSK, the vaccine manufacturer, has initiated a collaboration with UK health officials as of March 2025 to monitor cognitive health outcomes in vaccinated seniors [6]. Dr. Maria Nagel from the University of Colorado emphasizes the importance of testing the current Shingrix vaccine as a next step in dementia prevention [6]. While the vaccine currently costs between €400 and €500 for the required two doses in the Netherlands [3], these findings may prompt reconsideration of its inclusion in national vaccination programs [alert! ‘pending further clinical trials’].