Shingrix Vaccine Reduces Dementia Risk by 24%, According to Major Study
A groundbreaking study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that older adults who received the Shingrix shingles vaccine were 24% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over a four-year period, compared to those who were not vaccinated. The research team at Brown University analyzed health records and Medicare data from over 500,000 adults aged 66 and older who had been admitted to skilled nursing facilities.
The study’s findings indicate that only 18.8% of vaccinated adults developed dementia within four years, compared with 24.6% of unvaccinated individuals. The researchers estimate this equates to approximately one dementia case prevented for every 17 people vaccinated — a significant implication for public health.
“This research contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that vaccines are not only effective at preventing shingles, but also appear to offer neuroprotective benefits,” said the study’s lead researcher. The results are in line with several previous studies suggesting that shingles vaccination may reduce neurological risk, and highlight the need for further clinical trials to confirm a direct causal link. Shingrix is a product of GlaxoSmithKline, which funded the study but had no influence over its design, analysis, or publication.
Source: ScienceDaily – Shingles vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk (August 25, 2026)