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Published: May 12, 2025
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Dr. Jay Varma explains why he chose to get the shingles vaccine, not only to prevent the painful illness but also because emerging research suggests it may lower the risk of dementia.
Why I Got the Shingles Vaccine
Reaching the age when my doctor recommended the shingles vaccine, I didn’t hesitate. As a physician, I know shingles is both painful and preventable, and the vaccine is highly effective. But the deeper reason I got vaccinated may surprise you: growing evidence suggests the shingles vaccine could also protect against dementia.
“The shingles vaccine prevents painful rashes—and may also protect your memory. For me, that made getting vaccinated an easy choice.” —Dr. Jay Varma
What Is Shingles?
Shingles—also called herpes zoster—is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a childhood infection or vaccination, the virus can remain dormant in nerve cells for decades.
When the virus reactivates, usually in older adults, it causes a painful, blistering rash that follows the path of affected nerves. For some, pain lingers for months or years in a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia.
Shingles is common: about 1 in 3 Americans will develop it in their lifetime. The risk rises with age, which is why the CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for everyone over 50.
How the Shingles Vaccine Works
The recommended vaccine, Shingrix, is a recombinant vaccine that uses a protein from the virus paired with an immune-boosting ingredient. Clinical trials show it is more than 90% effective, and real-world studies suggest protection above 80%. By training the immune system to recognize the virus before it reactivates, the vaccine prevents both shingles and its painful complications.
Could the Vaccine Also Protect the Brain?
The intriguing question is whether the shingles vaccine might do more than prevent rashes and nerve pain. Recent studies suggest it may also reduce the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
There are several reasons this is plausible:
- Inflammation and dementia: Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a driver of cognitive decline. Viral reactivation, like shingles, can trigger damaging immune responses in the brain.
- Nerve invasion: Herpes zoster directly infects nerve cells and, in rare cases, can spread to the brain, causing encephalitis. Neurons may die either from the virus itself or from the immune system’s attempt to fight it.
- Immune cross-benefits: Vaccines sometimes provide broader “off-target” immune benefits that extend beyond their specific pathogen target.
What the Evidence Shows
In the past five years, multiple studies have pointed toward a link between shingles vaccination and reduced dementia risk. While none are randomized controlled trials—the gold standard of medical evidence—they are increasingly robust.
- U.S. study (2024): Using data from more than 200,000 patients, researchers found that Shingrix reduced dementia risk by 17% compared to the older vaccine. This translated to about 164 dementia-free days gained.
- UK study (2025): In Wales, a natural “cutoff” in vaccine eligibility allowed researchers to compare those just eligible and those just under the age threshold. Results showed a 20% reduction in dementia among those vaccinated. The findings were consistent in a separate dataset from England.
Together, these studies suggest a real benefit, though more research is needed to determine whether protection applies to all dementias or primarily Alzheimer’s.
Should You Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The most compelling reason remains the obvious one: shingles is preventable. Shingrix is safe, widely available, and strongly recommended for adults over 50.
But for me, the potential to also protect my brain made the decision even easier. Dementia is among the most feared health conditions worldwide. If one safe, simple vaccine can both prevent nerve pain and possibly reduce cognitive decline, it is an opportunity worth taking.
I encourage anyone eligible to discuss the shingles vaccine with their healthcare provider. It is a small step with potentially life-changing benefits—for both body and mind.
The shingles vaccine does more than prevent painful rashes. It may also help guard against dementia, making it one of the most important—and overlooked—tools for healthy aging.
📅 Publication Date & Outlet
May 12, 2025 | Psychology Today
