Could a vaccine prevent dementia? Shingles shot data only getting stronger.

While lifesaving vaccines face a relentless onslaught from the Trump administration—with fervent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the charge—scientific literature is building a wondrous story: A vaccine appears to prevent dementia, including Alzheimer's, and may even slow biological aging.

For years, study after study has noted that older adults vaccinated against shingles seemed to have [a lower risk of dementia][1]. A study last month suggested the same vaccine appears to slow biological aging, including lowering markers of inflammation.

"Our study adds to a growing body of work suggesting that vaccines may play a role in healthy aging strategies beyond solely preventing acute illness," study author Eileen Crimmins, of the University of Southern California, said.

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[Comments][3]

[1]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38687552/
[2]: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/could-a-vaccine-prevent-dementia-shingles-shot-data-only-getting-stronger/
[3]: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/could-a-vaccine-prevent-dementia-shingles-shot-data-only-getting-stronger/#comments

Shingrix, the vaccine for the shingles, is seen at a pharmacy on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Cohoes, N.Y.


https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/could-a-vaccine-prevent-dementia-shingles-shot-data-only-getting-stronger/