# A Vaccine Against Heart Attack, Stroke, and Dementia Exists—But Adoption Remains Low
A growing body of research shows that vaccination against shingles offers protection beyond preventing the painful rash the virus causes. Recent studies suggest the shingles vaccine reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia in older adults, yet many eligible people skip it.
The shingles vaccine, known as Shingrix, has emerged as one of the most effective vaccines available for older populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends it for all adults age 50 and older, regardless of whether they previously had shingles or chickenpox. Two doses, given two to six months apart, provide over 90 percent protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, the chronic pain that affects 10 to 18 percent of shingles patients.
But the cardiovascular and cognitive benefits represent something unexpected. A 2021 study published in the journal Circulation showed that shingles vaccination was associated with a 16 percent reduction in cardiovascular events in older adults. Another analysis published in Neurology in 2022 found that people vaccinated against shingles had a lower risk of dementia compared to unvaccinated groups. Researchers theorize that the chronic inflammation triggered by herpes zoster infection may damage blood vessels and brain tissue, so preventing shingles through vaccination reduces this downstream inflammation.
Dr. Myron Cohen, a virologist at the University of North Carolina, has noted that the varicella-zoster virus causes more than just skin lesions. The virus reactivates in nerve cells and can trigger systemic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammatory cascade may explain why shingles survivors face elevated risks for heart attack and stroke for months or years after infection. Vaccination prevents this chain reaction.
Despite these findings, vaccination rates remain disappointingly low. According to CDC data, only about 37 percent of adults age 65 and older have received the full Shingrix series. Barriers include cost concerns, despite Medicare coverage for most beneficiaries, lack of awareness about the vaccine's broader health benefits, and lingering vaccine hesitancy in some populations.
Healthcare providers have a role to play. Many older adults never receive a recommendation for Shingrix from their doctor. Proactive outreach during routine visits could significantly increase uptake. Pharmacies can also play a part, as most administer Shingrix and can offer vaccination at convenient times.
The cardiovascular and dementia benefits don't replace established prevention strategies. Exercise, Mediterranean diet patterns, smoking cessation, and blood pressure control remain foundational. The shingles vaccine functions as an additional layer of protection, one that addresses a preventable risk factor many overlook.
Shingrix also shows an excellent safety profile. The most common side effects are mild: arm soreness, fatigue, and temporary muscle aches lasting one to two days. Serious adverse events remain rare.
For people over 50, discussing Shingrix with a healthcare provider makes sense. The vaccine offers a straightforward path to reducing multiple disease risks simultaneously, yet it remains underutilized. Closing this gap in vaccination coverage could prevent thousands of heart attacks, strokes, and cases of dementia annually.