Shingles vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk in nursing home study

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 25, 2026 at 05:00 AM

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Shingles vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk in nursing home study

Adults vaccinated against shingles after entering a skilled nursing facility had a 24% lower risk of dementia over four years, according to a study of more than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Dementia developed in 18.8% of vaccinated participants compared with 24.6% of unvaccinated participants. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, used data from over 5,500 facilities between 2017 and 2022.

Key Facts

The study analyzed 509,926 adults aged 66 and older admitted to skilled nursing facilities between 2017 and 2022.
Only 8,843 participants (1.7%) received at least one dose of the recombinant shingles vaccine Shingrix.
After four years, dementia was diagnosed in 18.8% of vaccinated participants versus 24.6% of unvaccinated participants.
The absolute risk difference translates to about one in 17 dementia cases potentially prevented, according to lead author Kaley Hayes.
The study was published in Annals of Internal Medicine and led by researchers from Brown University, the University of Delaware, and the Providence VA Medical Center.

Study Design

Researchers used target trial emulation to mimic a randomized clinical trial using Medicare claims and electronic health records. The analysis included patients from more than 5,500 skilled nursing facilities nationwide. Participants were required to be eligible for shingles vaccination and have no prior dementia diagnosis. The study focused exclusively on Shingrix, the recombinant shingles vaccine introduced in 2017 and currently the only shingles vaccine on the U.S. market.

Vaccine Effect

Vaccinated adults had a 24% lower risk of dementia over four years compared with unvaccinated adults. The absolute difference was 5.8 percentage points: 18.8% versus 24.6%. Lead author Kaley Hayes, assistant professor at Brown University's School of Public Health, said the results align with earlier studies of an older shingles vaccine. Hayes stated the findings fit into a growing body of evidence that shingles vaccines may have neuroprotective benefits beyond preventing shingles.

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Shingles vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk in nursing home study

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Shingles vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk in nursing home study

Key Facts

Study Design

Vaccine Effect

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