For this study, researchers analyzed the medical data for more than 38,000 people in the U.S. with an average age of 69. Participants who received the shingles vaccine were followed for an average of 3.6 years, and those who did not receive the vaccine were followed for an average of 3.9 years.

“Vaccines don’t just prevent infection — they can also shape how the body responds to inflammation,” Ali Dehghani, DO, doctor of internal medicine at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and presenting author of this study at IDWeek 2025, told Medical News Today. “Herpes zoster (shingles) is now recognized as a condition that can affect the heart, blood vessels, and brain long after the rash is gone.”

“Understanding how the shingles vaccine might reduce these broader complications helps us appreciate vaccines as tools for overall health protection, not just for stopping one disease,” Dehghani added.

At the study’s conclusion, researchers found that when comparing the shingles vaccine to the pneumococcal vaccine for the prevention of pneumonia, participants who received the shingles vaccine lowered their risk for vascular dementia by 50%.

Additionally, those same shingles-vaccinated participants had a 27% risk reduction for blood clots, a 25% lower risk of heart and stroke, and a 21% lower death risk.

“We’ve learned from past studies that shingles can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia, but no one had yet asked whether being vaccinated before getting shingles could lessen those long-term risks,” Dehghani said. “Our goal was to test whether vaccination might not only prevent shingles itself, but also blunt the inflammation that drives vascular and cognitive damage afterward.”

How: Reducing overall inflammation“These numbers suggest the vaccine’s benefits may extend far beyond preventing shingles. We think the shingles vaccine may help the immune system control the virus before it causes widespread inflammation, which in turn could protect blood vessels and the brain. It highlights how reducing inflammation early — through vaccination — can have lasting effects on heart, brain, and overall survival.”
— Ali Dehghani, DO

“Our next steps are to study how shingles-related inflammation affects blood vessels and the brain in patients with medical conditions that predispose them to increased Zoster susceptibility,” Dehghani added. “We’re also exploring whether other vaccines that reduce viral inflammation show similar long-term heart and brain benefits.”

MNT spoke with Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about the shingles vaccine and its potential for lowering vascular dementia risk.

“As a geriatrician who works daily with patients and families affected by dementia, my first reaction was one of cautious optimism,” Parulekar said. “This study reinforces a theory we have been exploring that inflammation in the nervous system is a key driver of cognitive decline. For patients who often feel helpless against this disease, the potential benefit of a routine vaccination could offer a level of protection (that) is encouraging.”

“This research suggests the shingles vaccine may do more than just prevent a painful rash; it may also reduce inflammation in the nervous system. If we can confirm this link, it opens up a promising new avenue for prevention, not just for dementia but potentially for other neurodegenerative diseases that are also linked to inflammation.”
— Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD

Although it’s far too early to say whether the varicella-zoster virus directly causes dementia, more research could explain the link.

“It would be helpful to expand this research from correlation to causation, to definitively confirm if reducing the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virusTrusted Source is what truly lowers dementia risk. Exploring why the effect was stronger in women could provide crucial insights into the different ways this disease progresses in diverse populations,” Parulekar said.

MNT also spoke with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about the study’s findings regarding the shingles vaccine and lowered cardiovascular disease risks, including blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

“This study found an association between getting the shingles vaccine and a reduced future risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, or even death,” Chen said. “These results are in line with previous studies, which have also found a cardio-protective and neuro-protective effect of the shingles vaccine.”

How shingles may lead to other diseases“Serious infections such as shingles can incite a strong and stressful inflammatory response in the body. This, in turn, could lead to major adverse health effects in many different organ systems. By better understanding the health benefits of the shingles vaccine, we may even be able to expand the categories of patients who we think would benefit from vaccination.”
— Cheng-Han Chen, MD

“Future research can focus on the potential mechanisms behind how the shingles vaccine could actually have a causative protective effect against cardiovascular disease,” Chen added.

According to the CDCTrusted Source, the Shingrix vaccine is currently the most effective treatment available to prevent shingles. This vaccine can also help protect against postherpetic neuralgia or PHN. Up to 18%Trusted Source of people with shingles may experience PHN, which results in ongoing pain in areas of the shingles rash.

Shingrix is a recombinant vaccine. This means it contains specific parts of the VZV, such as protein, sugar, or capsid. As such, this type of vaccine can provide a very strong immune response. Additionally, as it does not use live components of the virus, most people can receive the vaccine, including those with weakened immune systems or long-term health conditions.

People can receive Shingrix in two doses, with a separation of 2–6 months between shots. The vaccine protects against shingles with over 90%Trusted Source effectiveness. Efficacy remains over 85% for a minimum of 4 years after vaccination.

The previous shingles vaccine, ZostavaxTrusted Source, received FDA approval in 2006 but is no longer available in the United States. Unlike Shingrix, Zostavax offers only 51% effectiveness in preventing shingles and 67% in preventing PHN.

Anyone concerned about shingles and PHN should consult a medical professional to find out whether Shingrix is right for them.

The CDCTrusted Source recommends that everyone aged 50 or older get Shingrix. The FDATrusted Source adds that individuals older than 18 at a higher risk of shingles are also eligible for the vaccine.

Additionally, those who have previously had chickenpox or shingles should still receive the vaccine. Anyone who received Zostavax in the past may still be at risk for developing shingles. Such individuals should also get the full two doses of the Shingrix vaccine.

Doctors recommend that people experiencing a minor illness still receive Shingrix. But anyone dealing with a severe illness should wait to recover before getting Shingrix. People can consult a medical professional to learn more about their eligibility.

Researchers have not evaluated Shingrix for people who are pregnant or nursing. These individuals should speak with a doctor before receiving Shingrix, and it is normally advisable for them to wait for the vaccine.

Anyone with allergies to Shingrix ingredients should also avoidTrusted Source the vaccine. People who experience severe allergic reactions to the first dose should not get the second dose of Shingrix.

Furthermore, it is not advisableTrusted Source for people to receive the vaccine if they currently have shingles or if they test negative for immunity to VZV. In the case of no immunity, health experts may instead recommend the chickenpox vaccine.

If individuals have any concerns or questions, they can discuss these with their doctor.

The CDC state that two doses of Shingrix are more than 90%Trusted Source effective at preventing shingles and PHN, and protection remains above 85% for at least 4 years after receiving the vaccination. This is consistent with other studies showing that the effectiveness of Shingrix ranges from 91.3% to 96.6% in preventing shingles. For PHN, those percentages range from 88.8% to 91.2%.

Serious adverse events are extremely rare with Shingrix, occurring in under 0.01% of people who receive the vaccine. Some of the more common side effects following Shingrix vaccination may includeTrusted Source:

• pain, redness, or swelling at the site of injection
• tiredness
• headache
• body aches and pains

EvidenceTrusted Source also indicates that older adults can safely receive the Shingrix and flu vaccine at the same time. Researchers found that taking the vaccines together did not impact the effectiveness of either vaccine.

For most eligible individuals, Shingrix is a safe and effective option for preventing shingles and PHN. Individuals concerned about potential side effects should speak with a doctor to learn more.

Making the decision to get the Shingrix vaccine can be an important step on an individual’s wellness journey. Some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding that decision include:

Why is it important to receive a vaccination against shingles?

About 33% of adults in the U.S. will develop shingles at some point in their lives. Shingles can cause painful blisters, a rash, chills, and fever, among other symptoms. Many people who have shingles later develop PHN, which can cause long-lasting pain that is difficult to treat.

Getting the Shingrix vaccine can help individuals avoid shingles and PHN and help prevent shingles from spreading to vulnerable people.

Can individuals get Shingrix if they have already had shingles?

Yes, medical experts recommend that people who have had shingles still sign up for Shingrix. However, people currently experiencing shingles should wait until their symptoms go away before getting the shingles vaccine.

How long should people wait between Shingrix doses?

The standard waiting period between doses lasts from 2–6 monthsTrusted Source. The minimum time between doses is 1 month.

What are the age requirements for Shingrix?

Most guidelines state that people aged 50 and olderTrusted Source can receive Shingrix, and there is no maximum age. Individuals at a higher risk for developing shingles can receive the vaccine from 18Trusted Source.

What if someone already had the older Zostavax shingles vaccine?

People who have had the Zostavax vaccine should stillTrusted Source get the Shingrix vaccine. The Zostavax vaccine is less effective than Shingrix. Getting the Shingrix vaccine can reduce the risk of developing shingles among those who have had Zostavax.

Does the risk of getting shingles increase with age?

Shingles is most common after the age of 50Trusted Source, but it can appear at any age if a person has previously had chickenpox.

How often should people get the vaccine?

Individuals who get Shingrix should make sure to get both doses of the vaccine at an interval of 2–6 months. Anyone seeking further guidance on timing should consult a doctor to decide on the best vaccination schedule for them.

Is it possible to get shingles twice?

Most people who get shingles only experience it one time in their lives. However, it is possible to get shingles more than onceTrusted Source. This is known as recurrent shingles. Getting vaccinated can help minimize the chance that this will happen.

These are only a few of the many questions people may have about Shingrix. To learn more about the vaccine and shingles, individuals can consult a medical professional.

Commercial insurance covers about 96% of insured people for the Shingrix vaccine. Most people with private insurance will pay under $5 for each dose.

Programs like Medicaid cover Shingrix in certain states. Medicare Parts A and B do not cover the shingles vaccine. But individuals covered under Medicare prescription drug plans, or Part D, will have their vaccines covered.

For people who do not have access to insurance, there are a number of vaccine assistance programs and affordable health coverage options available. Many of these programs provide vaccines at little or no cost.

Shingrix is currently the most recent and effective shingles vaccine available. It can help protect against shingles and potential complications from the condition, such as PHN. People who are at risk of developing shingles should consider vaccination if they are eligible.