New shingles vaccine could cut dementia risk by 25 per cent, Oxford research suggests...but scientists still aren't sure why

New shingles vaccine could cut dementia risk by 25 per cent, Oxford research suggests...

but scientists still aren't sure why READ MORE: Certain body fats could be a sign you're at greater risk of dementia By Xantha Leatham Deputy Science Editor For The Daily Mail and Dmcontent Published: 11:00 EDT, 25 July 2024 | Updated: 11:07 EDT, 25 July 2024 e-mail View comments A shingles vaccine, available on the NHS , could reduce the risk of dementia by up to 27 per cent compared to jabs for other illnesses, a study shows. The painful and serious condition, which mainly affects older people, can cause an uncomfortable rash and lead to serious problems such as deafness, long-lasting pain and even blindness. In 2021, a vaccine called Shingrix was introduced on the NHS, replacing a previous jab for shingles called Zostavax.

And now, a major study has shown Shingrix is linked to a 'significantly' lower risk of dementia compared to Zostavax and jabs for other illnesses, which have also shown to reduce the risk of developing the condition. Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed data on more than 200,000 people in the USA, where the Shingrix vaccine has been used for longer. A major study has shown Shingrix is linked to a 'significantly' lower risk of dementia compared to Zostavax and jabs for other illnesses Some of the people involved had received the earlier Zostavax vaccine, while others had been given Shingrix.

Over six years, the team found Shingrix was linked with a 17 per.