The Shingle Vaccine's Second Use

While the shingles vaccine is always important to get, new research proves that it has another use: decreasing the risk of getting dementia. According to a study at Stanford University published in Nature, people with the shingles vaccine have a 20% chance less of getting dementia within the following seven years in comparison to someone who hasn’t received the vaccine at all. Although further research has yet to determine if it could be effective past the seven year mark, it is an amazing discovery considering that there is not much you can do treatment wise for someone with dementia. Unfortunately, the opposite statistic is true if you get shingles; doctors at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital have discovered that the chances of getting dementia while having shingles goes up by 20%. Though a connection between the two hasn’t yet been established, it is good to get the shingles vaccine if you are 50 years or older. By taking two doses a couple of months apart, you can avoid both awful rashes and the odds of getting dementia. If you want to lower the prospect even more, make sure to do brain healthy habits such as good diet and regular exercise as well as maintaining a good blood pressure and blood sugar. 

Works Cited

Belluck, Pam. "Shingles Vaccine Can Decrease Risk of Dementia, Study Finds." The New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/health/shingles-vaccine-dementia.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Neergaard, Lauran. "Shingles is awful, but here's another reason to get vaccinated: It may fight dementia." Associated Press News, 2 Apr. 2025, apnews.com/article/dementia-alzheimers-shingles-vaccine-6e5354efbefff22240af1a91addb88a4. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.