Does the zona vaccine also protect against dementia?

The shingles vaccine is intended to prevent shingles and nerve pain. In recent years, large observational studies have shown that people who received the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia than unvaccinated individuals. However, the beneficial effect has not been definitively attributed to the vaccine.

These studies suggest that the risk of dementia is approximately 15–30% lower in vaccinated people. This effect was mainly seen with the newer vaccine (Shingrix). The protective effect lasted for several years.

These are not randomized clinical trials. Therefore, there is no hard evidence of cause and effect. The beneficial effect may be partly due to indirect effects such as less inflammation in the body, less herpes virus activity in the brain, or because vaccinated people generally live healthier lives.

The shingles vaccine is not recommended for preventing dementia. However, if you are already considering the shingles vaccine, this is a possible additional beneficial side effect.

The vaccine has been proven to protect against shingles and may offer additional protection against dementia.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.3415

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-12-25 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2026